Marist end Central’s season

Central’s 2026 Tasman Trophy premier rugby season is over after a resounding 36-7 loss to Marist at Trafalgar Park in Nelson today.

The Blues finished fourth after round robin play and were matched up against the top qualifiers, who have lost just once this season.

In the semifinal they were all class, resisting all Central could throw at them, then replying with some well-crafted tries.

Initially it was a close contest, Central midfielder Nigel Satherley claiming an interception to touch down, Jake Pacey’s conversion giving the visitors a 7-0 lead after quarter of an hour.

However, the home side always looked likely, especially through speedy siblings Nic and Timi Sauira, and by halftime they were ahead 12-7, midfielders Nic Sauira and Rylee Samuela touching down as Central’s attention to detail diminished.

The second spell belonged for most part to the team in green. Winger Timi Sauira scoring twice along with replacement lock, Frenchman Dorian Mignard, and long-serving skipper Tom Thornalley in the final minutes.

Central will look back and wonder how they were able to lose by such a considerable margin after being in the game for long periods, but their effort today was symptomatic of a topsy-turvy season, with no shortage of effort but sometimes lacking clinical finishing.

Jack Kelly, Quinn Harrison-Jones, Callum Nimmo, Cody Weir, Wayden Smith and Manu Leiataua showed out among the forwards while Bray Taumoefolau, Eric Lawson, Satherley and Pacey were prominent in the back division.

In the other semifinal, Nelson outscored Waimea Old Boys 50-48 to book the other final spot.

In the local senior A competition, Waitohi maintained their lead at the top of the standings with a 26-20 win over Moutere in Picton and Renwick dominated Harlequins 60-0.

College rugby

Earlier, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV lost a tight battle with Miles Toyota competition leaders St Andrew’s College on the Lansdowne Park back field.

The southerners prevailed 26-19 after leading 12-0 at halftime. It was a case of missed opportunities for the Falcons, who dominated possession and field position for the majority of the first 35 minutes.

Despite camping on the STAC line, they were unable to register points, then were given a lesson in finishing when their rivals scored two tries, one converted, in the five minutes before the break.

A Liam Cohen try brought MBC back into it soon after oranges, but STAC quickly replied, then George Adams scored the host’s second to close the gap to 19-14 midway through the half.

Porous MBC defence saw the visitors bag their fourth with five minutes to play and although replacement Louie Thomas touched down in the final minutes and the Falcons finished hard on attack, they were unable to claim an equalising score.

Their next assignment is another home match-up with St Bede's College on Thursday at Lansdowne Park with a 12.20pm kick-off.