Rugby results hard to pick

Unpredictable results were the order of the day when the final round of Marlborough Sub-Union premier rugby was contested today.

Central, who had beaten all their provincial rivals so far this season, were downed 13-8 by Waitohi in Picton while Renwick and Moutere/Awatere drew 34-34 in a thrilling encounter at Renwick.

The latter match was a topsy-turvy affair, the combined side leading 19-7 after a dominant first half, then increasing that advantage to 31-12 midway through the second spell.

However, the Green Machine finally found top gear and ran in four late tries, including a hat-trick to replacement midfielder Zac Harrison Jones, to draw level.

The home side had a chance to kick a penalty and win the match in the final moments but missed, bringing the curtain down on a match that they looked to have let slip much earlier.

Apart from Harrison Jones, lock Jaydn Holdaway, halfback Rua Swan and fullback Michael Dillon had strong games. Winger Mesake Bula, who bagged two tries, and prop Losi Malimali also impressed.

Moutere/Awatere will be rueing a win that slipped out of their grasp. They were well in control until the third quarter, experienced heads Ben Finau and Laurie McGlone controlling play and showing the way.

The early loss of Tristian Taylor was offset by a strong game from Clyde Paewai who stepped into the first five’s role.

Up front, Caleb Avery and Jack Robertson were to the fore, along with Tiko Onolevu.

Meanwhile, in Picton, Waitohi managed to hold on to grab the spoils during a hard-fought clash with the Blues.

The home side led 6-5 at the break through two Corey Bovey penalties, then added a try when their forwards drove over the line in the second spell. The Blues could only manage a penalty in the latter stages although coming mighty close on occasion to getting over the Tohis’ line.

Waitohi player/coach Jimmy Giles described it as a “very close, tough, physical game”.

“We really threw the kitchen sink at each other,” he added.

Although Giles and Karlos Tatauri were named the home side’s players of the day, Jimmy said “it was a day when all of the boys stepped up”.

He said Waitohi were happy to take some sort of momentum into nest weekend’s semifinals, where they will travel to play Renwick and Central will host Moutere/Awatere.

Final standings: Central 22, Renwick 17, Waitohi 11, Moutere/Awatere 10.

In division two action, leaders Central had their colours lowered again, beaten 14-5 by Moutere, while Awatere accounted for Renwick 29-7 and Waitohi downed Pelorus 27-0.

In next week’s semis Central host MBC Old Boys and Moutere host Awatere.

College rugby

The Marlborough Boys’ College First XV were well aware of what their forward-oriented Timaru Boys’ High School rivals would throw at them at Renwick today. However, stopping them executing those plans is another matter as they went down 28-8.

The visitors score early from a well-organised lineout drive but MBC hung tough for the remainder of the first half, a Hugh Robinson penalty closing the margin to 7-3 at the break.

The home side were right in the battle after the break, centre Cooper Roberts, No 8 Penisimini Fihaki and halfback Jack Kelly showing the way, before two tries, created in similar pick-and-go fashion, handed Timaru a 21-3 advantage.

Again MBC came back, Roberts helping create a try for replacement Cohen Stewart but the visitors had the final say, again from a set piece, an area they were dominant in throughout.

Mako women hang tough

The Tasman Mako women’s team got their Farah Palmer Cup championship campaign off to a promising start today, fighting hard before going down 35-32 to North Harbour in Albany.

The Mako tries were scored by Easter Savelio, Eleri James-Sitters, Karla Wright-Akeli, Jess Foster-Lawrence and Eve Findlay, who kicked two conversions and a penalty.