Rugby resumes

Decisive victories were the order of the day as senior A rugby resumed after recent weather delays in Marlborough today.

At Renwick the home side scored a 53-5 win over Pelorus, scoring tries regularly in both halves against a gritty opponent.

Waitohi, the unbeaten competition leaders, also won well, notching a 50-0 victory over Harlequins in Picton, while the Central v Moutere match at Awarua Park, Spring Creek, was closer, the Blues winning 27-5.

The Renwick match was tighter than the scoreline indicated, with the Bojacks coming out strongly and holding the defending champs scoreless for a lengthy part of the first half.

However, when the home side did cross the Pelorus line they frequently repeated the dose, celebrating flanker Jarod Bryant’s 50^th match in style.

Leading the way up front was prop Sean Sloan and powerful No 8 Samuela Tawake while halfback Cam Harvey, centre Mesake Cataki and playmaker Max Brydon added edge to the Mud Dogs’ attack further out.

Tasman Trophy finals

Meanwhile, the Tasman Trophy premier men’s final was won by Marist, who overpowered Waimea Old Boys at Trafalgar Park, coming away with a comprehensive 43-17 victory on Saturday.

The heavy rainfall had cost Waimea home advantage but then the competition leaders constantly cost themselves. They couldn't convert multiple chances close to the Marist line and compounded that by conceding too many kickable penalties.

It took Marist 27 minutes to crack the Waimea defence with halfback Wil Thornalley darting over after a strong surge from his brother Tom, Marist's captain and lock.

Flanker Jone Tamani scored a second first-half try as the 2021 club champions raced to a 16-0 lead.

Waimea captain and halfback Codey Grimes struck right on the break to keep his side in the hunt.

Wil scooted away for a second after slick lead up work from wing Isaiah Duncanson.

Codey promptly responded with his second but Marist, the second-half specialists, then kicked away.

The women’s Tasman Trophy final was taken out by the Waimea Old Boys combination, who edged out Kahurangi 23-22.

Both sides scored three tries but Waimea had the final say in a match that was shifted from Riwaka due to the rough weather.

First five Bethan Manners grabbed a double for Waimea and her captain Stefani Mitchell touched down as well.

The Kahurangi captain, lock Tanita Garnett ran in a try from 30 metres out.

Her side seized the lead early in the second half when former Waimea centre Eve Findlay cut back through the defence close to the line.

Stefani almost grabbed a second try but Bethan broke the defence to grab a double.

Her counterpart Ashleigh Wood responded with a try of her own, setting up a close finish.