Blues see off Waitohi challenge

Central continued their unbeaten start to the premier rugby season, and booked a place in the Marlborough sub-union final, with a hard-earned 19-7 victory over Waitohi on the Lansdowne No 4 ground today.

It was the Picton-based crew’s first match of the campaign and, despite the obvious rust and lack of combination that epitomises early-season rugby, they battled to the end, making Central work hard for their three tries.

The Blues led 12-0 at halftime through touchdowns to lively loosie Edan Fitzpatrick and equally hard-working winger Lani Fihaki. First five Mitch Smith’s accurate left foot ensured Central enjoyed plenty of territorial advantage, from where they were able to work through the phases and eventually register points.

When lock Matt McCormick crashed over for their third soon after halftime it seemed Central were well on their way to a bonus point, but the Tohis had other ideas, staying in the fight until the end and adding a close-range try of their own, to prolific hooker Taimi Fangatua.

Waitohi player/coach Tim O’Malley was pleased with his charges’ efforts, despite the final result not going their way.

“For a first game, especially against Central, it was a good effort. We obviously have a fair bit to work on, especially around the set pieces and how we create go-forward … we knew [our performance] wasn’t going to be perfect but I’m proud of the way the boys stuck at it.

“It was also good to get our first game out of the way. Having the bye first round was a bit of a pain but it was good to finally get stuck into the season. The boys enjoyed it and are excited by what is to come.”

Next weekend Waitohi play Moutere at Spring Creek to decide who joins Central in the forthcoming sub-union final.

Central got top value from a string of their more experienced campaigners. Quentin MacDonald, Matt McCormick and Jeremy Foley led from the front, while Smith, Ben Filipo, Nigel Satherley, Cody Weir and Jake Cresswell made good decisions behind the pack.

Taine Cragg-Love, No 8 Campbell Hart, Seymour Lambert, Corey Bovey, Gannon Karena and O’Malley were influential for a Tohis side with plenty of potential and room for improvement.

In Nelson, Kahurangi defeated Waimea Old Boys 55-33 while Stoke upset Marist 22-17.

The premier encounter, and the preceding division two clash, were both initially scheduled to be played on the pristine grass surface of Lansdowne Park 1. However, no lines had been marked out and no goalposts erected on the region’s showpiece venue - an embarrassing situation for all concerned.

Scorers: Central 19 (Edan Fitzpatrick, Lani Fihaki, Matt McCormick tries, Mitch Smith 2 con) Waitohi 7 (Taimi Fangatua try, Corey Bovey con). HT: 12-0.

In Marlborough division two action, Pelorus and Awatere drew 12-12 at Rai Valley, Central downed Waitohi 37-12 at Lansdowne, the same venue where MBC Old Boys defeated Harlequins 52-7.

Meanwhile, the Wairau Wāhine team kicked off their Tasman Trophy women’s season at Renwick, going down 62-15 to a slick Kahurangi combination. Although they picked up three tries, the local side’s lack of game preparation was evident as the visitors piled on the points in each half, their powerful, speedy outside backs doing much of the damage.

Next week Wairau take on Waimea Old Boys, who lost 12-27 to Marist today, in Nelson.