‘Grassroots’ rugby resurgence growing

A concerted effort to give Marlborough “grassroots” rugby players more game time, with the added lure of representative play, took another step forward at the weekend.

On Sunday, a Marlborough Invitational XV fronted up against the Buller Heartland side in a match designed to give the Coasters a hit-out before their competition begins.

The previous day, after the local senior men’s club final, a Marlborough Cavaliers side, composed of players from the senior A competition, was named. They have two games confirmed, against Tasman Pasifika on Saturday, 22 August and Nelson Town on Saturday, 29 August. Both matches are at Lansdowne Park.

The Cavaliers concept has been introduced as a pre-cursor to a return to Red Devils rugby next year, the local provincial side having been sidelined in recent times.

Sunday’s game was an entertaining affair. The Buller boys raced out to an early 21-0 lead before the local side, a collection of senior A and premier players, got their game going. Buller led 28-7 at the break and although Marlborough closed to 33-28 with three consecutive tries, the visitors had the final say to prevail 45-33.

The Marlborough Cavaliers team: Kaleb Avery, Jimmy Morris, Charles Tupouto’a, Esafe Moli, Clyde Paewai, Tom Sutherland, Hugh Robinson, Finn Neal (Moutere), Chris Iotamo, Shein Ioramo, Dylan Burns, Arlyn Bull, Dylan McManaway, Mason Larrington, Couper Robinson, Tiare Tautari (Waitohi), Seymour Lambert, Billy Collins, Jake Hovenden, Ben Filipo (Awatere), Jaydn Holdaway, Sam Vularika, Easi Qalo (Renwick), Tom Sloan (Central), Blade Campbell (Pelorus), Falaula Fotu-Moala (Harlequins). Mike Hillgrove (head coach), Simon Lamb and Campbell Hart (assistant coaches), Jimmy Giles (manager), Adam Best (assistant manager), Hannah Lamb and Chanen Nel (player welfare).