Central to tackle Kahurangi in Tasman Trophy final

Central and Kahurangi will meet in the final of the 2022 Tasman Trophy club rugby competition after both sides ground out semi-final wins today.

Central beat defending champs Marist 26-22 at Lansdowne Park while Kahurangi eased past Renwick 29-20 in Riwaka.

Next Saturday’s final will be staged at Lansdowne Park, the home ground of the top qualifier, Central.

The Blues have been in imperious form of late, but certainly did not have things their own way today.

The home side, playing into a stiff nor’westerly breeze, held a 19-15 lead at halftime, scoring three tries to Marist’s five penalty goals.

Central quickly pushed out to 26-15 after the break, but then had to withstand a later push from the visitors. A converted try to first five Sam Briggs, who scored all Marist’s points, closed the gap to four points and left the outcome in the balance until the final whistle blew.

The match ended with Marist hot on attack. They went to their favoured lineout drive option from a penalty, seeking the five points that would snatch victory from the Blues' grasp.

However, the home side gambled on cutting off Marist’s lineout throw, hoisting lock Jack Powell, who claimed possession to deny the visitors a chance to defend their title next week.

Powell’s heroics through were only part of a gutsy defensive effort by the Blues, several times in the first half especially turning over ball on their own goal-line when a Marist try looked inevitable.

Leading the way were Braden Stewart, Peni Fihaki, Jesse and Quentin MacDonald, Powell and fellow lock Matt McCormick, replacement loosie Vernon Fredericks, plus wingers Timoci Tavatavanawai and Lani Fihaki.

Showing the way for Marist were Briggs, who produced some prodigious punts, halfback Cleve Barrell, lock Caleb Havili, hooker Leopino Maupese and winger Lote Saulekaleka.

Meanwhile in a muddy and damp Riwaka, Renwick put up a gallant battle against the home side.

Kahurangi scored two converted tries in the first half, to two penalties from Alex Barnsley for the Green Machine, leaving the halftime score 14-6 to the home side.

Kahurangi stretched out to 17-6 with another penalty before a close range try to Renwick, and subsequent conversion, closed the gap to 17-13, putting the visitors back into the match.

However it was the home side who finished stronger, taking advantage of a Renwick errors and defensive lapses to score twice and increase their lead to 29-13.

A last-minute converted try to winger Falaula Fotu Moala summed up the Renwick effort, and the never-say-die attitude that has marked their season.    

In division two rugby today, Waitohi downed Pelorus 38-30, Central beat Moutere 46-17, Awatere overcame Renwick 31-7 and MBC Old Boys got the better of Harlequins 40-12.

Tasman Trophy semifinal scores: Central 26 (Nigel Satherley, Braden Stewart, Quentin MacDonald 2 tries, Mitch Smith 3 con) Marist 22 (Sam Briggs try, 5 pen, con). HT: 19-15 Central.

Kahurangi 29 (Luca Inch, Christian Kelly 2, Ben Johnston tries, Johnstone 2 con, pen, Stein Schreiber con) Renwick 20 (George Tuineau, Falaula Fotu Moala tries, Alex Barnsley 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 14-6 Kahurangi

College rugby

Making it a memorable day for Marlborough rugby, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV claimed a 29-13 win over the visiting Christ’s College First XV, the match being played at Renwick Domain.

MBC have struggled of late, but produced a 70-minute effort against the visitors, picking up their fourth try in the final minute to seal the deal.

MBC 29 (Cooper Roberts, Jake Pacey, Hugh Robinson, Johnny Vakaloa tries, Robinson pen, 3 con) Christ’s College 13 (Frankie Meates try, Callum Summerfield 2 pen, con). HT: 10-6 MBC.