Blues bag play-off position

Central are through to the Tasman Trophy rugby play-offs after beating Waitohi 55-22 at Lansdowne Park this afternoon.

The Blues needed every point of their hefty win, qualifying in fourth position for next weekend’s semifinals on points differential.

They will play Kahurangi, who were top qualifiers, with Waimea Old Boys and Marist meeting in the other semi.

The unlucky side were Wanderers, who finished level on points with Central after scoring a 52-14 bonus point win over Moutere/Awatere at Awarua Park, but were left nine points behind on differential.

The other Marlborough-based side in action on Saturday was Renwick, who lost 29-14 to Marist at Trafalgar Park, after trailing 19-7 at halftime.

The Green Machine competed strongly against a bigger side, scoring a converted try in each half and holding the home side to just a single second half touchdown.

In the fourth match, Stoke accounted for Nelson 24-0.

Central began strongly against Waitohi, in persistent drizzly rain, racing to a 14-0 lead. Waitohi fought back to grab three points but the Blues finished the half strongly, two further tries adding up to a bonus point and a 28-3 lead at the break. Two second half tries to the Tohis threatened to derail the Blues’ semifinal aspirations, but the home side finished stronger, four more tries in the final 15 minutes sealing the deal.

Influential for the victors were loosie Setaleki Baker, hooker Quentin MacDonald, lock Jack Powell, No 8 Matt McCormick, plus midfielders Nigel Satherley and Jack Griffiths.

Hooker Taimi Fangatua, who scored twice, fullback Dan Monaghan, plus forwards Dylan Burns, Sean Walsh, Taine Cragg-Love and Seymour Lambert stood out for Waitohi.

Final round robin points: Kahurangi 41, Waimea OB 37, Marist 35, Central 30, Wanderers 30, Stoke 29, Renwick 16, Waitohi 7, Nelson 7, Moutere/Awatere 5.

In the Tasman division one women’s game at Awarua Park, Moutere lost 26-15 to table-toppers Waimea Old Boys. In the other women's match Riwaka beat Wanderers 41-17.

In division two action, Central beat Waitohi 23-12, Moutere downed Renwick 29-19 and MBC Old Boys took care of Pelorus 31-0.

Meanwhile, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV rebounded from a hefty defeat at the hands of Christ’s College last weekend to score a 27-20 win over Rangiora High School on the MBC front field.

The home side began strongly, two superbly-executed early tries helping them to a 22-8 lead at halftime. However, helped by some ill-disciplined play from the home side, Rangiora roared back into the game and trailed by just two points before powerful MBC No 8 Penesimini Fihaki crashed over in the final minutes to put the result beyond doubt.

Other Miles Toyota Championship scores: Nelson 53 Lincoln 3; St Andrew’s 29 Waimea 12; St Thomas 50 Mid Canterbury 19; St Bede’s 37 Timaru 16; Christchurch 65 Roncalli 0; Christ’s 63 Shirley 5.