Waitohi book place in rugby final
Waitohi skipper Taine Cragg-Love was a ball of energy at Awarua Park, both on attack and defence. Photos Peter Jones.
An irresistible second half effort from Waitohi today propelled them into next weekend's Marlborough Sub-Union final.
The Tohis downed home side Moutere 36-11 at Awarua Park to book a spot in the title decider, against defending champions Central.
Despite the wide scoreline at the final whistle, this was no walk in the park for the Tohis. They led just 15-11 at halftime, having weathered a Moutere storm for much of the first spell.
The home side dominated field position but too often spurned chances to establish a meaningful lead when they had the chance.
After goalkickers Corey Bovey (Waitohi) and Jake Pacey (Moutere) traded early penalties, the Magpies opened the try scoring through first five/halfback Ben Finau.
However, five minutes later Waitohi centre Sio Moa touched down to level the scores, Bovey’s conversion pushing them ahead.
The visitors pushed out to 15-8 just before the break with an unconverted try to skipper Taine Cragg-Love, then Pacey closed the gap once more with a penalty on the stoke of halftime.
That was to be the end of the scoring for the home side however, Waitohi adding three second half tries, all converted by Bovey, to seal the deal.
The energetic Cragg-Love completed a well-deserved hat-trick with two touchdowns on the back of close-range lineout drives, while fullback Patrick Smith-Kerr scored the other.
Along with their inspirational captain, No 8 Campbell Hart, lock Dylan Burns and hooker Toby McLeod were the pick of the Tohis forwards while halfback Bray Taumoefolau, on his premier debut, Bovey, Moa and Gannon Karena excelled out wide.
Prop Max Morris, loosie Atu Taufa and No 8 Charles Tupouto’a put in strong shifts for the Magpies pack, while Finau, midfielder Pacey and winger Senetenari Ponesi stood out behind the scrum.
Scores: Waitohi 36 (Taine Cragg-Love 3, Patrick Smith-Kerr, Sio Moa tries, Bovey 4 con, pen) Moutere 11 (Ben Finau try, Jake Pacey 2 pen). HT: 15-11.
Nelson premier results: Kahurangi 36 Nelson 19; Stoke 29 Waimea Old Boys 10.
Meanwhile, the Marlborough division two competition saw a couple of upsets, with Central being beaten 24-20 by Marlborough Boys’ College Old Boys on Lansdowne Park 1 and Awatere going down to Harlequins 31-17 in Seddon. The other match was played in Havelock, Renwick’s ‘Mud Dogs’ overcoming Pelorus 29-3.
In the Tasman Trophy competition, the Wairau Wāhine women’s side played their second competition game over the hill, going down 47-22 to Waimea Old Boys at Jubilee Park.
Wairau picked up a bonus point for scoring four tries, three to the outstanding Fiaali'i Solomona and one to Court Finau, who led her forward pack from the front.
In the other match Kahurangi downed Marist 21-19 to remain unbeaten