‘Red Devils’ live up to their name

Marlborough retained the Seddon Shield in unbeaten style during the 87^th under 52kg primary school rugby tournament, which was played at Lansdowne Park from Monday to today.

The ‘Junior Red Devils’ beat rivals Nelson, Golden Bay-Motueka, West Coast and Buller to emerge as champions for the fourth consecutive year at the conclusion of the nation’s longest-running interprovincial tournament.

Marlborough opened proceedings on Monday with a comprehensive 44-17 win over Golden Bay-Motueka, then backed that up with a 79-0 defeat of West Coast the following day.

On Wednesday they came up against the other pre-tournament favourite, Nelson, who had accounted for Buller 67-17 on Tuesday after a first-round bye.

The tournament’s pivotal match was a classic “game of two halves”’.

In the first spell the home side dominated proceedings, led by their fiery forward pack who hoed into their work, while all the Marlborough players contributed to a strong defensive effort which led to a string of turnovers.

Prop Kobe Stewart-Smith opened the scoring, No 8 Blake Beattie slotting the conversion. Midway through the half lock Kahn MacDonald dotted down their second then, just before halftime, impressive winger Michael Jordan dashed in for Marlborough’s third, allowing them to take a 17-0 lead into the break.

However, Nelson were far from done, mounting a spirited comeback, scoring two unconverted tries, inspired by halfback Brigham Samuela and first five Emmett Crockett.

Unfortunately for the visitors, and their vocal support crew in a packed grandstand, they ran out of time, leaving Marlborough to celebrate a hard-fought 17-10 victory.

On Thursday, the home side completed their tournament with a 43-0 win over Buller allowing them to sit out their bye today secure in the knowledge the prized Seddon Shield was in their trophy cabinet for another year.

Red Devils coach Kyle Heagney said he was very proud of the way his charges performed.

“They played well together as a team, fought hard and were really focussed,” he said.

The Marlborough team were all new to the Seddon Shield tournament, making their achievement more noteworthy.

“Once kids are selected in a rep team they are just so keen to learn and work out what their roles are … they have been easy to coach in terms of being enthusiastic and having good ball skills to start with,” said Kyle.

“The tournament overall was very well-run with all the teams being positive and friendly. The players had some cool interaction with the other squads, which is what it is about.”

In other matches, Buller beat West Coast 22-17, Golden Bay Motueka beat West Coast 47-7 and Buller 36-5 while Nelson overcame Golden Bay Motueka 53-0, Buller 67-17 and West Coast 46-26.

All games were played on the Lansdowne Park number one ground, except for this morning’s Nelson v West Coast clash, which was moved off the main field due to frosty conditions.

On the final day a tournament team was named, with eight Marlborough players making the top 15.

The tournament team is: 1 Sione Ofanoa (M), 2 Richie McRae (M), 3 Kobie Stewart-Smith (M), 4 Kahn MacDonald (M), 5 Logan Planthaber (M), 7 Shaydon Streeter (M), 8 Blake Beattie (M), 9 Brigham Samuela (N), 10 Carter Cullen (GBM), 11 Slade Pine (GBM), 12 Levi Bennett (GBM), 13 Nate Walker (GBM), 14 Michael Jordan (M), 15 Ryder Muir (WC). Reserves: Brodie MacDonald (M), Freddie Heagney (M), Sefo Nariaria (B), Leo Hayes (N), Hezekiel Tupuola (N), Benjamin Padilla Victorica (N), Matiu Edwards (WC).

Nelson playmaker Brigham Samuela was named player of the tournament, with Marlborough lock Logan Planthaber voted top defensive player.