Marist produce second half blitz to overcome Blues

Nelson’s Marist Club played spoiler during the Central Rugby Club’s club day today, scoring a resounding Tasman Trophy victory over the Blues’ premier side at Lansdowne Park.

Marist turned on a superb second half performance to blitz the Blues 55-14, after the home side led 14-12 at the break.

Ironically, Marist had first use of a gusty nor’westerly breeze, but were unable to convert field position and possession into points during a first 40 minutes when Central’s staunch defence and breakdown work saw them repeatedly deny the visitors, while scoring a couple of well-executed tries themselves.

However, after oranges it all changed, the visitors racking up 43 unanswered points.

With Marist intent on playing a ball-in-hand game, involving multiple off-loads and in-depth support play, the Blues had no answer.

They began dropping off tackles all over the park, allowing Marist’s elusive quartet of Nic and Timi Sauira, first five Luke Kilworth and halfback Wil Thornalley to wreak havoc.

Up front, powerhouse No 8 Netani Baleisomosomo, after being subdued in the first 40, came into his own, while skipper Tom Thornalley also had a strong game, carrying hard and leading by example.

Central can have no excuses. Their first and second half efforts were like chalk and cheese in terms of commitment to defence and ball retention.

Players such as young loosies Jack Kelly, Luke Marfell and Peyton Yakas gave it their all, along with halfback Logan Philp and midfielder Ben Filipo, while centre Koloa Fotu proved elusive.

An added disappointment for Central is the loss of the John Goodman Challenge Trophy, which they wrenched off Nelson last weekend.

Marist had lost it to Nelson the previous week so will be relieved to have reclaimed the prize so quickly.

Even they would have been surprised by the second half blow-out after such an evenly-contested first 40.

Scorers: Marist 55 (Adam Schwass 2, Baydn Walker, Luke Kilworth, Wil Thornalley, Timi Sauira 2, Nic Sauira, Liam Boshoff tries, Kilworth 5 con) Central 14 (Ben Filipo, Eric Lawson tries, Leo Marfell 2 con). HT: 14-12 Central

In other premier matches, Waimea Old Boys edged past Kahurangi 22-19 while Nelson accounted for Stoke 36-17.

Premier table: Marist 26, Waimea OB 26, Nelson 19, Central 16, Kahurangi 8, Stoke 7.

The news was better for Central in the curtain-raiser, with the club’s senior A side scoring a hard-fought 15-10 win over Lansdowne neighbours Harlequins.

Central led 7-5 at halftime, playing into the breeze, and were forced to dig deep as the Quins scored a well-constructed second half try to edge ahead 10-7. However, a late sin-binning allowed the Blues to build pressure on the Harlequins line, resulting in the match-winning try with 12 minutes to play.

In other senior A clashes, Waitohi flexed their muscles at Seddon to down Awatere 46-21 and Renwick got their title defence on track with a 27-14 victory over Moutere at Spring Creek.

Senior A table: Waitohi 10, Renwick 9, Central 8, Awatere 5, Harlequins 5, Havelock 4, Moutere 0.