Blues well beaten: Waitohi win well

Central’s Tasman Trophy bid hit another bump in the road on Saturday when they lost to the previously-winless Stoke side from Nelson.

The visiting Red and Whites came out well on top of a free-flowing match at Lansdowne Park, prevailing 45-17 over a Blues side who went into the match as firm favourites, especially after winning the sides’ previous meeting this season 53-28.

Stoke made the early running, racing out to a 26-5 lead and clinching a bonus point early on, before adding three more tries, five of their seven touchdowns converted by Highlanders’ playmaker Taine Robinson. Adding insult to injury for the Blues was the fact three of the Stoke tries were scored by members of last year’s MBC First XV – elusive fullback Anru Erasmus grabbing a brace and loosie Rico Nicklin dotting down a five-pointer.

Despite Central’s demise they are still in the hunt for a semifinal spot, playing Waimea Old Boys in Nelson next weekend. At stake will be the John Goodman Challenge Trophy, which Waimea took off the previously-inbeaten Marist side on Saturday, prevailing 27-26.

In the other match, Nelson thumped Kahurangi 33-5.

Tasman Trophy points after eight rounds: Marist 37, Waimea OB 28, Nelson 28, Central 21, Kahurangi 12, Stoke 8.

There was one Marlborough-based Tasman Trophy victor though, Moutere’s women outlasting Marist 25-17 at Trafalgar Park.

The Magpies scored five tries, including a last gasp effort to winger Amy Gibbs which clinched the deal and added the icing to club stalwart Courtney Finau’s 60th match in the famous black and white hoops.

Tasman Trophy women’s points after four rounds: Kahurangi 20, Waimea 10, Marist 10, Moutere 10, Nelson 0.

On the local scene, Marlborough senior A defending champs Waitohi firmly stamped their mark on the competition with a 73-19 demolition job on Central at Lansdowne Park.

In other matches, Renwick kept their supporters happy on club day at the Renwick Domain with a hard-fought 22-17 win over Moutere, while Awatere remained in semifinal contention with a 38-10 triumph over Harlequins at Lansdowne Park.

Senior A points table after six rounds: Waitohi 29, Renwick 25, Moutere 21, Awatere 16, Central 14, Pelorus 4, Harlequins 1.