Waitohi, Central book spots in senior A rugby decider
Waitohi winger Ben Millington heads for a second half try at Endeavour Park today. Photo Peter Jones.
Renwick’s reign as Marlborough senior A title-holders is over after the defending champs were downed 24-17 by Central at Lansdowne Park today.
However, the Blues will face a stern challenge if they are to go all the way in the competition, coming up against the unbeaten Waitohi side in next weekend’s final.
Today, at Endeavour Park, the Rangers swept past Awatere 60-12 with a clinical display, coupling power up front with speed and enterprise out wide.
The Tussocks battled on, picking up a try in each half, but the home side made the most of all their opportunities, whether from close range or on the counterattack, their wide men Couper Robinson, Mason Larrington, Ben Millington and Maddox Thompson benefitting from time and space to show their wares.
Up front Vancouver Sio, Campbell Hart, Andre Hebberd and Dylan Burns worked hard while the halfback pairing of Troy Marshall and Dylan McManaway guided their charges around the paddock expertly.
For the Tussocks, Seymour Lambert, Wilson Meadowcroft, Angus Phillips, Davy Falcon Jones, Hamish Harcus, Wilfred Martin and James Lindstrom battled manfully against a mounting scoreline.
With home advantage for the final, the Tohis will take some beating, their all-round game coming together at the right time of the season.
Meanwhile, Central showed grit to get past the Green Machine at rugby HQ. Leading 14-7 at the halftime break, the Blues scored twice more to draw away to 24-12 after an hour’s play, however the champs mounted a late comeback, scoring a try in the 73rd minute to close the gap to one score.
Despite late pressure Central held on, coach Nathan Gill saying his side were, “quite gutsy, just to hang in there at the end really”.
“Renwick are a strong team, a passionate outfit so we knew we had to battle away until the very end.
“In saying that, I think we left a lot of points out there, so we know we have more in the tank.
“Our set piece is setting our game up, especially the guys in the core roles, our lifters etc who are doing the work to get the guys in the air. They did an awesome job.”
Nathan said the side were looking forward to next week.
“It has been a long season … Waitohi have set the pace all year so we will be going in as underdogs, but we will be putting our best foot forward.”
Renwick coach Gary Loveridge, whose side were seeking a three-peat of titles, put a brave face on a semifinal exit.
“Footy can be cruel, I think some of our mistakes let them in but full credit to Central, they played some good footy and we weren’t quite there.
“I’m very proud of the side this year, we have lost a few key players and had a lot of young blokes coming in … the Mud Dogs will be back in 2026,” he warned.