Marlborough premier teams win two from three

Central will host Stoke in one Tasman Trophy rugby semifinal next weekend after scraping past Waimea Old Boys 26-24 in Nelson today.

The other semifinal will be between top qualifier Kahurangi and fourth-placed Marist, who met today in Nelson, Kahurangi coming way with a comprehensive 34-5 victory.

Both Moutere and Waitohi played their final games of the season today, the former claiming a 32-31 victory over Nelson at Neale Park, the latter bowing out with a brave display against third-placed Stoke at Awarua Park, losing 47-26 after the scores were tied up 19-19 at the break.

The Magpies, buoyed after their first win of the season last weekend, dominated much of the first half, scoring three well-executed tries, but each time they crossed the line they let Stoke in at the other end, keeping the visitors in the game.

Three converted tries after the break put Stoke firmly in charge, Moutere left to rue some untimely handling errors and wrong decisions as they mounted a comeback. Although livewire halfback Ben Finau scored a bonus point try late in the piece, the visitors had the final say in a free-flowing encounter, replacement halfback Mason Lund scoring his second to complete a solid pre-play-off workout.

Moutere were well served by No 8 Sekope Moli, Finau, first five Tom Sutherland, midfielders Senetenari Ponesi and Jake Pacey, lock Mike Tuipulotu, plus replacement prop Jordan Hart who quickly reversed the scrum dynamics.

Moutere head coach Jeremy Clark was happy with the side’s progress this season, their first back in the top club echelon after a two-year hiatus.

“We have consistently been getting better over the last three games,” he said. “After our Kahurangi game [lost 67-0 with 16 men] we had to find something in ourselves to realise that we belong in this competition and that hardening of the steel took us to a victory over Waitohi last weekend and gave us the belief today we could take one of the top four teams … and for 40 minutes we were all over them.

“Once again, I don’t think the final score reflects the true nature of the game.”

Developing a team and culture capable of competing in the premier competition was a goal at the start of the season and Jeremy feels they “were well on our way to achieving that”.

“We achieved our goal of sustaining the whole of the season, winning the war of attrition with numbers … what we have created is the base for a couple more years going forward.

“There is no negativity crept into the squad, there has been constant learnings and winnings the whole season as well, plus the community has come back around us.

“The clubrooms are full, we have interest, we have Thursday night meals together. We are not doing too much different … just re-working those old school values that made the game so great in New Zealand, and that is family, community and playing with our hearts.”

Scores: Stoke 47 (Mason Lund 2, Colm Hogan 2, Natsu Yokoyama, Liam Ingerson, Kendall Hodson tries, Corey McKay 6 con) Moutere 26 (Mike Tuipulotu, Ben Finau, Kaleb Avery, Sekope Moli tries, Tom Sutherland 3 con) HT: 19-19.

Final Tasman Trophy points after round robin play: Kahurangi 33, Central 29, Stoke 28, Marist 26, Waimea Old Boys 12, Waitohi 11, Nelson 7, Moutere 5.

The final placings leading into division two semifinals have also been decided.

Next week’s semis will see defending champs Waitohi, the top qualifier, host fourth-placed Harlequins in Picton, while second-placed Central will take on third-ranked Renwick at Lansdowne Park.

In today’s matches Central accounted for Pelorus 41-7 in Blenheim, Waitohi beat Awatere 47-12 in Seddon and Renwick downed Harlequins 51-17 at Lansdowne Park.

Final points: Waitohi 44, Central 41, Renwick 36, Harlequins 15, Pelorus 7, Awatere 6.

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV notched their third win of the Miles Toyota premiership season today, downing Selwyn Combined 24-12 at Lincoln.

With just two games to go before play-offs, MBC are sitting in seventh position. They have next weekend off, then are away to Timaru on July 15, followed by a home fixture against Christchurch BHS seven days later.

Miles Toyota premiership points: Nelson College 39, CBHS 31, St Thomas 29, St Andrew’s 20, St Bede’s 19, Christ’s 17, MBC 14, Shirley 8, Selwyn 7, Timaru 6.