Rugby roundup

Victories to the Central premier side and the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV highlighted a busy day of rugby across the province today.

Central backed up their emphatic win over Marist in Nelson last weekend with an equally comprehensive victory against Waimea Old Boys, one of the form teams in the top-of-the-south Tasman Trophy competition.

The Blues prevailed 43-14 over the visitors, scoring seven tries to two as they combined superbly, both in the backs and forwards, to shut Waimea out of the match.

However, they began scratchily, unable to control possession and struggling at the breakdown as their rivals struck first with a converted try to winger Hoani Herewini-Dygas.

The early strike prodded the home side into action. First to touch down was No8 Jesse MacDonald, who had a storming match, followed by the first of three tries to his brother, player/coach Quentin MacDonald from close range.

Central’s wingers then got in on the action, Cody Weir and Eric Lawson taking full advantage of sloppy play by the visitors to touch down before the break, leaving the Blues ahead 24-7 at oranges.

The second half began in similar fashion to the first, Waimea scoring first, the conversion closing the gap to 24-14.

But the Blues were in no mood to let their foot off the visiting side’s throat, MacDonald scoring twice more in quick succession, the first from a slick lineout variation, the second from a more familiar ploy, an unstoppable lineout drive. Cameron Hansford converted both to give his side a 22-point buffer, which was extended after 66 minutes when Weir bagged his brace.

Waimea, to the credit, never gave up and asked Central to defend their line stoutly in the final 10 minutes, but defend it they did, holding the ball up over the tryline on a couple of occasions to complete a satisfactory outing that keeps them well in the hunt for a home semifinal and leaves their rivals pointless.

Locks Matt McCormick and Jack Powell, prop Sione Papani, flankers Wayden Smith and Jack Kelly, replacement lock Luke Martella, halfback Ethan Jones, Hansford, midfielder Ben Filipo and fullback Logan Murphy were among a throng of Central players who contributed to a satisfying victory.

Waimea Old Boys were guided around the park expertly by first five Campbell Parata, and latterly James Lash, while Sam Briggs and Jayde Palmer were strong in midfield. Imposing prop Joel Lauvale, plus veterans Ben Coman and Jeff Lepa led the charge up front.

A feature of the match was the calm control of North Harbour referee Tarsh Ganley, the first occasion a female referee has facilitated a premier men’s match at Lansdowne Park.

Maggie Cogger-Orr, another of the country’s top female refs, was in control of the Marist v Nelson match at Nelson’s Trafalgar Par, with Marist bouncing back from last weekend’s loss to Central to beat the home side 47-19.

The other match, at Motueka, saw something of an upset with Stoke ending Kahurangi’s unbeaten run with a 31-27 victory.

With three rounds left before the semis, Kahurangi (37) still lead the standings from Central (34), Stoke (32), Marist (31), Waimea Old Boys (27), Moutere, who had a by today, 12 and Nelson trailing on -1, following two defaults.

Division two

The Renwick ‘Mud Dogs’ still lead the Marlborough division two standings, despite being held to a 24-24 draw on their home ground today.

The Tussock Jumpers got off to an early advantage on Renwick’s Club Day, leading 21-14 at halftime, but although the home side outscored them in the second spell honours were even at the conclusion of a hard-fought clash.

In other matches, Waitohi beat Pelorus 33-7 in Havelock while Central downed Harlequins 25-8 at Lansdowne Park.

Division two points: Renwick 26, Central 23, Waitohi 21, Awatere 15, Harlequins 6, Pelorus 0.

College rugby

A conversion from the sideline in the final minutes from centre Leo Marfell allowed the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV to claim a thrilling 20-19 victory over St Thomas of Canterbury at the MBC front field today.

MBC trailed 13-19 with time running out on an even, if scrappy encounter, but dug deep to string a succession of phases together which resulted in winger Harry King diving in at the corner to reduce the margin to a single point. Marfell, who had earlier landed a couple of penalties and a conversion of Harley Hebberd’s first half opportunist try, stepped up and drilled his conversion between the sticks to delight the home support.

Impressive for the MBC crew were busy hooker Luke Zillwood, loosies Finn McKenzie and Ben Gibbons, lock Ben Sziranyi and halfback Ajay Gane.

Their third win pushed MBC up to second place in the Miles Toyota Premiership points table.

Premiership points: Nelson College 20, MBC 14, St Thomas 11, Christchurch 10, Christ’s 10, St Bede’s 6, Shirley 6, St Andrew’s 1, Timaru 0, Selwyn 0.

Next weekend MBC play Christ’s College in Christchurch.