Central account for Stoke

Central ensured they stayed in the Tasman Trophy premier rugby race with an emphatic victory over Stoke at Lansdowne Park today.

The Blues were well beaten by Marist on opening weekend but have scored back-to-back home wins since.

Today they prevailed 46-17, seven tries to three, taking advantage of a second half breeze at their backs to pull away after leading just 17-12 at the break.

Fielding a reshuffled pack, Central initially struggled for cohesion and set piece efficiency. They scored the first try after five minutes, a typical lineout drive touchdown from player/coach Quentin MacDonald, but Stoke, who had only three players on their bench, all of them backs, replied soon after.

Midway through the half, No 8 Jesse MacDonald, playing his first match of the season, scored the Blues’ second but again Stoke replied quickly, levelling up at 12-12 after 24 minutes.

A third touchdown, to impressive winger Eric Lawson, gave the home side a narrow edge after a half in which they played a lot of unstructured rugby, often for no reward.

Three minutes into the second 40 they increased their lead, replacement winger Cody Weir scooting over after impressive build-up work.

Again, Stoke replied, scoring their third to replacement Finn Nalder, before Central finally took control of proceedings.

Replacement midfielder Nigel Satherley, also playing his first game of the year, made an immediate impression, carving through multiple tackles in the 22 to score with a wide smile on his face.

Another Quentin MacDonald specialty followed before first five Leo Marfell charged down a clearing kick to add the icing to the cake, his handy conversion and a last-minute long-distance penalty completing a 16-point personal haul.

Although they had some fine moments, there is still plenty for Central to improve on if they are to go all the way this season.

Players to stand out in the backline included powerful midfielders Ben Filipo and Satherley, elusive winger Senetenari Ponesi, Lawson, halfback Logan Philip and playmaker Marfell.

The MacDonald brothers were their usual impactful selves, Matt McCormick was effective in the physical exchanges, Quinn Harrison-Jones carried hard, as did lock Sam Neal plus loosies Luke Martella and Jack Fisher. Sione Papani added impact from the bench along with fellow prop Dusty Foley.

Stoke’s best were first five Jesse Pitman-Joass, fullback Chris Little, halfback Mason Lund and prop Liam Ingerson.

Next weekend Central are away to Waimea Old Boys.

Meanwhile, on Thursday night, Marist proved too strong for Waimea Old Boys, prevailing 30-26 in the battle of the two unbeaten sides at Trafalgar Park.

Waimea struck early through lock Jeen Saltan, from an attacking lineout, but then Marist dominated the rest of the first half with two tries to lock and captain Tom Thornalley. He scored the first from short range and then loomed up outside his brother Wil to claim the second.

Marist raced to a 20-7 lead before Waimea Prop Joel Sauvale dragged his team back into the game.

Tries to hooker Luke Collier and centre Timi Sauira took Marist out to 30-12 but a charge down from former Marist midfield back Sam Briggs got Waimea back within striking range.

His team camped inside the Marist 22 for the final minutes and hooker Guilhem Bourgois plunged over in the last play of the game to secure a vital losing bonus point.

At Riwaka, Kahurangi and Nelson were both chasing their first victory of the season with the visitors winning 31-21. Former Kahurangi winger Brodie Robinson scored back-to-back tries for Nelson in the second half.

Points after three rounds: Marist 15, Waimea Old Boys 12, Central 10, Nelson 8, Stoke 5, Kahurangi 1.