Magpies finish on a high note

It has been a highly-successful Matariki weekend for the Moutere rugby club.

Both the Magpies’ men’s and women’s sides scored Tasman Trophy wins over Nelson-based opponents at their home base, Awarua Park.

On Friday, the Moutere men wrapped up a testing season in style, staging a stunning comeback to beat Stoke 38-31.

Then, on Sunday, the women booked a home semifinal next weekend with a comprehensive 47-19 victory over Kahurangi.

The men’s side managed a major turnaround to down one of the competition’s form sides. After being forced to default through lack of numbers the previous weekend, they responded in fine fashion to run down the visitors, who will finish third on the table heading into next weekend’s semifinals.

This was a quite bizarre encounter. Initially Moutere held sway, their elusive fullback Kyren Taumoefolau dotting down in the early stages, first five Tom Sutherland landing the conversion.

But then the home side switched off, falling off tackles and allowing their rivals in red to run the cutter. By halftime, Stoke had run in four tries, grabbing a vital bonus point, and led 24-7.

Immediately after the break they added a fifth to surge to a 31-7 lead, with Moutere looking set for a long, hard afternoon.

However, the Magpies had other ideas, flicking the switch back on.

A second try to Taumoefolau helped grow confidence of an unlikely comeback, then a touchdown midway through the half by flanker/midfielder Jack Burdon maintained that momentum. The introduction of replacements Sam Moli and Mike Tuipolotu beefed up the pack, the scrum began to take control and the backline became energised.

Midfielder Jake Pacey sliced his way through a tiring defensive line to bag Moutere’s fourth then Tongan international Taumoefolau completed his hat-trick with eight minutes remaining, to bring the scores level at 31-31.

Using the width of the field, Moutere exited well and, after their scum had forced Stoke into a short clearance on their own line, set up an unstoppable lineout drive, hooker Monu Moli touching down for the matchwinner.

Sutherland’s fourth conversion, this time from the sideline, ensured the home side, and their supporters, were able to conclude their campaign with smiles on their faces.

The Moli brothers, prop JP Koen, locks Kaleb Avery and Charles Tupouto’a, the Morris brothers, Max and Jimmy, and Burdon worked hard up front, while halfback Bray Taumoefolau, Sutherland, Pacey, centre Senetenari Ponesi and the mercurial Kyren Taumoefolau did the job behind the scrum.

Coach Jordy Hart said, “we had a core group who have kept fronting up for us all season and we just wanted to go out on a high for them … we have always known we are capable of playing like that, so it is good to see it come together really”.

“It will be good momentum to take us into next year.”

The other match on Friday was also a high-scoring affair, Waimea Old Boys accounting for Marist 50-39. On Saturday, table-toppers Kahurangi warmed up for the semifinals with a 71-14 victory over a hapless Nelson.

The Tasman Trophy semifinalists have been decided. Kahurangi will host Waimea Old Boys while Central, defending champions, will host Stoke in a repeat of last weekend’s round robin clash.

Final points: Kahurangi 52, Central 44, Stoke 39, Waimea Old Boys 38, Marist 32, Moutere 12, Nelson -1.

Meanwhile, the Moutere women’s team made a late surge up the ladder to book a home semifinal against the same opponent.

Sitting bottom of the points table before taking on second-placed Kahurangi, the female Magpies required a bonus point win to leapfrog their opponents and Waimea Old Boys into second place.

Despite starting sluggishly, 12-0 down after 10 minutes, Moutere recovered in style to lead 25-12 at halftime. They continued the charge after oranges, pushing out to a 47-19 victory to clinch a home play-off next weekend.

Leading the charge was midfielder Fiaali’i Solomona, Harley Hebberd, Courtney Finau, Hannah Gillespie, Ilah Beattie, Niska Scott, Rosie Buchanan-Brown, Tallulah Tuffery and Phoenicia Te Rito.

In the earlier match, the unbeaten Marist side beat Waimea Old Boys 15-10 to also book a home semifinal.

Division two

In division two action on Friday, Renwick beat Pelorus 54-7. On Saturday, Awatere accounted for Harlequins 32-15 after leading 20-12 at the break, while Waitohi flexed their muscles with a 61-3 win over Central. The semifinalists have been decided - Renwick at home to Awatere and Waitohi hosting Central.

Points (with one round remaining): Renwick 41, Waitohi 35, Central 28, Awatere 20, Harlequins 6, Pelorus 5.

First XV

Meanwhile, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV notched their fourth win of the season yesterday, beating St Andrew’s College 35-19 in Christchurch.

Their victory pushes MBC up to fifth place on the Miles Toyota Premiership ladder, just two points off the top four.

The home side led 19-7 at halftime before MBC racked up 28 unanswered points, through four converted tries, to shut their southern rivals out of the game.

Next week MBC are away again, to Christchurch Boys’ High School, then finish with home games against Selwyn Combined, on Friday July 26, and St Bede’s College on Saturday, August 3.