Combined side notch historic win

The Awatere/Moutere combined team racked up their first Tasman trophy win in Seddon this afternoon, downing Waitohi 31-22 and providing one of the season’s upset results.

Player/coach Kaleni Taetuli said he was very proud of his charges, pulled together from two country clubs, who are now beginning to come together as a combined unit.

“I’ve got to applaud the boys,” he said, “they have never given up and eventually it is starting to click.”

The “scrappy and hard-fought” match was tight for most of the 80 minutes, the home side leading just 22-19 at the break. They added their fourth try and a penalty after halftime, while holding the visitors to just a second half penalty with some solid defence.

Kaleni had praise for his front row of JP Koen, Tuala Tauasosi and Sikove Levaci who showed the way, helping the scrum dominate and force penalties, while doing the hard work around the fringes.

He also said the fact that Awatere/Moutere had six bench players to call on today was a factor in their winning effort.

In the other all-Marlborough derby match played today, Central turned on a powerful display of clinical finishing to outclass Renwick 55-28 at the Renwick Domain.

Inspired by a three-try effort from the experienced Quentin MacDonald, the Blues raced to a 22-0 lead at halftime, the home side making too many errors - some forced, some unforced - to stay in the hunt.

Central led 36-0 halfway through the final spell before a late flurry from the Green Machine saw them bag four tries and a bonus point.

Meanwhile, in Nelson, Waimea Old Boys beat Wanderers 20-7, Marist hammered Nelson 69-25 and Kahurangi continued their strong run to take care of Stoke 55-17.

Tasman Trophy points: Kahurangi 25, Waimea OB 24, Marist 22, Central 14, Stoke 13, Wanderers 10, Nelson 8, Waitohi 7, Renwick 6, Awatere/Moutere 5.

In Miles Toyota Championship action, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV put in a gallant effort against Christchurch Boys’ High School on the MBC front field but were unable to come away with the spoils.

The visitors took an early 19-3 lead, then MBC fought back to close the score to 19-15 before Boys’ High wrapped it up with two late converted tries.

Other MTC scores: Waimea 27 Mid Canterbury 26; Timaru 54 Lincoln 14; Nelson 75 Rangiora 0; St Andrew’s 54 Roncalli 13; St Bede’s 23 Christ’s 16.

In the Marlborough division two competition, Central beat Renwick 15-10, Awatere accounted for Pelorus 52-0 while MBC Old Boys beat Waitohi 19-10.

Meanwhile, Moutere women had a win in the Tasman division one competition, downing Riwaka 27-14 in Riwaka, leaving them sitting atop the points table.