Rugby contenders decided

The semifinalists have been confirmed after the final round of Marlborough senior A matches today.

Next week’s semifinal will see Waitohi take on Awatere in Picton, with Renwick and Moutere doing battle once more at Awarua Park.

Waitohi continued on their unbeaten way with a clear-cut 40-12 victory over Central at Endeavour Park, Awatere steamrolled Harlequins 62-0 at the Seddon Domain while Moutere came out on top of an arm wrestle at Spring Creek, prevailing 24-21.

The battle between the second and third placed sides was expected to be tight and did not disappoint.

The scores were tied 14-14 at halftime, two converted tries apiece. During a scrappy second half littered with handling mistakes on the slippery, muddy surface, both sides added a converted try to set up a thrilling final 10 minutes. The stalemate was ultimately decided by a Hugh Robinson penalty, as play see-sawed back and forth.

Robinson and Tom Sutherland were influential in the Magpies’ backline, Charles Tupouto’a and Finn Neal standing out up front.

For a gallant Renwick side, who have been in involved in two close encounters in a row and will anticipate another in the semi, Jaydn Holdaway, Jayden Lister, Matt Patterson and Navitalai Vatucilila were prominent.

Final points: Waitohi 57, Moutere 46, Renwick 41, Awatere 37, Central 28, Harlequins 6, Pelorus 6.

Meanwhile, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV came off second best in their final Miles Toyota Premiership round robin match.

The Falcons went down 43-12 to the third-ranked side in Timaru.

Trailing 31-0 at the break the match was well and truly out of their reach, although they recovered slightly in the second half, scoring a couple of tries to Kymani Tikotikoca-Lal, one converted by Thomas Blackmore.