Wins for Renwick, Central

Defending champions Renwick and 2023 semi-finalists Central showed the way as the first found of division two rugby was played out around the region today.

The Renwick ‘Mud Dogs’ headed south to Seddon to meet the local Tussock Jumpers and came away with a comprehensive 38-14 victory at Car Horn Valley after the scores were tied 7-7 at halftime.

The same scenario played out at a sun-drenched Lansdowne Park where the Blues met Harlequins. The teams were locked together 10-10 at oranges before Central ran in three second half tries to come away with a 32-10 victory.

The third scheduled match, between Waitohi and Pelorus in Picton, was unfortunately defaulted by Pelorus.

There was also a missing fixture in the Tasman Trophy premier competition, Nelson unable to put together a team for their scheduled match with Central in Blenheim. At this stage the match is postponed, but may yet be defaulted if another date to play the catch-up game is not agreed on.

The other Marlborough Tasman Trophy in action today, Moutere, travelled to Cooks Reserve, Riwaka, to meet Kahurangi and went down 43-17.

Moutere player/coach Jordy Hart said the final score was not a fair reflection of the effort put in by his side.

At halftime they trailed by just five points, 17-12, and at the 60-minute mark they were still well in the contest, the score 24-17.

However, the ever-dangerous Kahurangi back three had the next say. With Moutere pressing hard close to the home side’s line fullback Jack Gray intercepted a pass and sprinted 90m for a 14-point turnaround.

The visitors, who lost lock Mike Curry with injury at the three-quarter mark, then conceded a couple of tries which inflated the final margin.

“Our lineout and scrum was good,” said Jordy, “and we played a lot of footy but their back three are really dangerous and when they had space they carved up.

“We were certainly right in the fight for the majority of the game, we have just got to learn how to finish things off.”

Moutere’s man of the match Kaleb Avery, Clyde Paewai and Ben Finau scored the Magpies’ tries, Dylan McManaway landing a conversion.