Tussocks' time to shine

The Awatere Rugby Club celebrated their “club day” in typical country style at Seddon this afternoon.

At a busy Seddon Domain the Tussock Jumpers put on a wealth of entertainment for both young and old.

The club day began at 10am with the under-16 side and culminated in a senior A clash with reigning champs Renwick. Five junior teams took the field against various opponents.

On the neighbouring netball courts the Awatere netballers were also called into action, competing at home in six different grades.

The club also staged fun activities for the younger brigade, including a tug-of-war, kicking and passing competitions and relays.

The afternoon’s senior A game was closely fought but the home side were unable to cap a highly-successful day with a victory, losing 20-12 to the Mud Dogs.

The visitors scored a couple of converted tries to Awatere’s one touchdown to lead 14-5 at the break.

Awatere remained in the match early in the second spell through some scrambling defence as Renwick looked most likely to add to their total.

Unable to cross the home side’s line, Renwick took the opportunity to build their lead through penalties, prop Ty Bampton landing two to push them ahead 20-5 as the clock ticked down.

A last minute converted try to Awatere closed the scoreline but it was too little, too late to take down the champs who played with more control and employed a superior kicking game.

Standing out for the home side was midfielder Paddy Kerr, halfback Angus Phillips, plus loosies Wilson Meadowcroft and Hamish Harcus.

Renwick were well served by midfielder Matt Patterson, playmaker Jarrod Ferguson, No8 Samuela Tawake and centre Peceli Denicaucau.

In other senior A matches, Harlequins beat Moutere 30-29 at Lansdowne Park, after leading 20-8 at halftime while, in Havelock, Waitohi beat Pelorus 52-0.

Meanwhile, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV ensured they will head unbeaten into Thursday’s showdown with arch-rival Nelson College after completing a 36-12 victory over St Andrew’s College on the MBC front field today.

MBC started strongly. They raced out to a 14-0 lead after just 15 minutes before buttoning off to allow STAC back into proceedings, closing up to 14-5 at oranges.

After a halftime revision of tactics, MBC went back to what had served them so well in the first quarter of an hour, kicking long for field position then letting their hungry forwards go to work.

Close-range tries to halfback Ajay Gane and hard-working prop Jordyn Gardiner, his second, sewed up a bonus point before well-deserved touchdowns to lively winger Mika Vakasilimiratu and elusive midfielder Anru Erasmus ensured there was no way back into the game for a gritty STAC side.

Outstanding for the home side was fullback Josh Flynn, loosie Finn Neal, props Gardiner and Mason Nicklin, Gane, who tackled his heart out, cool-headed first five Thomas Blackmore and second half substitute Justin Prescott.

Elsewhere, Christchurch Boys’ High School beat Nelson College 58-31 in Christchurch, while St Thomas downed Shirley 64-35.

Central’s premier side, although keen to rebound after a second half Tasman Trophy pounding from Marist last weekend, again went down heavily, this time to reigning champs Kahurangi at Cooks Reserve.

The Blues lost 50-14 to a home side who have battled for form so far this season and who they beat 46-29 in their previous meeting at Lansdowne Park in early April.

In other Tasman Trophy men's results, Marist beat Stoke 61-19 and Waimea downed Stoke 43-35.

In the Tasman Trophy women’s competition, the Moutere women’s side lost 66-5 to Kahurangi at Awarua Park. In the other match Waimea Old Boys downed Marist 22-0 at Trafalgar Park.