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Tuesday 19 July 2022
Sport
Central cap season in fine style FROM PAGE 1 have been mentally. After that, although we had some good wins, Calf [Braden], Riki [Winitana] and I would hark back to that game because we weren’t prepared and that just set us up [for the rest of the season]. We couldn’t get complacent because we knew we could always be better each week.” “We were hoping we would play [Kahurangi] in the final because we knew we had one to get over them and we did that. “We also played some pretty good footy today. It wasn’t ideal, but for a final we will definitely take it,” the talismanic hooker added. Ultimately, the home side prevailed through a potent mix of rapid-fire attack, coupled with astute kicking and tenacious defence, that combination proving too much for a brave Kahurangi side that never stopped coming. It is a recipe that has served the Blues well all season and they put it to good use in the first half, scoring three well-executed tries to lead 19-0 at the break. However, it was in the final minutes of the half that they showed their true mettle. A string of penalties handed Kahurangi both field position and a wealth of possession as they endeavoured to get back into proceedings. But everything they threw at the home side was repelled through organised, offensive defence, albeit scrambling at times. Eventually, Central broke free and were hard on attack at the other end when the halftime whistle blew. The second spell was played out
under a similar script, speedbased Central attack, coupled with some assured tactical kicking from first five Mitch Smith and fullback Riaihe Rangihaeta, heaping positional pressure on the visitors. Eventually, Kahurangi’s stoic defence cracked, with MacDonald crashing over on the back of a 5m lineout drive, a familiar sight this season. Then, 15 minutes later skipper Braden Stewart iced the Trophy cake with a superb solo effort, wriggling free of some less-than-effective tackles on the Kahurangi 22 and sprinting to the tryline where he put the exclamation mark on another impressive follow-me showing with a spectacular swan dive. Smith banged over the last of his four conversions, bringing the score to 33-0, before the visitors underlined their never-say-die attitude with a last minute try and conversion to salvage some late pride from a tough afternoon and their second consecutive Tasman Trophy final defeat. Kahurangi skipper Manu Parkin was full of praise for their rivals. “It’s never nice doing these speeches and unfortunately I have had to stand up her for two years in a row now,” he said. “I can’t take anything away from the Central lads. You came out absolutely firing from the first whistle and you managed to put three tries on us before halftime … as a team it is pretty hard to come back from that. “I am also very proud of our boys … the effort you put in until the final whistle was superb.”
Central skipper Braden Stewart launches himself over the Kahurangi line to claim his side’s fifth try and ice their Tasman Trophy victory on Saturday. Photo: Peter Jones. Stewart stressed that Central’s success was very much a team effort. “It took 23 of us to do it all year … it took division two players stepping up to help us and the regular guys just kept growing every week. “Central have always had a good attack … but defence wins championships and the defence we showed over the last six weeks has been immense. “Everyone bought in to what we were trying to achieve. I have never been in a club team that has worked so hard for each other, I am just so proud, lost for words actually.” MacDonald praised the efforts of his backs in the final, who he felt kicked astutely to guide the home side around the track. “That gave us forwards confidence and let us get into the
game,” he said. “Kahurangi are a very good team and we took nothing for granted but we were able to control how things played out and kept them out of the game.” He said that, despite the fact the Blues racked up plenty of points, defence was the key to their success. “Our attack was good, our skills were good but the D [defence] was a highlight. We set out to keep our opponents from crossing our tryline and that became our strength.” He was also chuffed with the hometown support, which he felt had been growing as finals day approached. “To come out, hear the crowd, see the balloons … it was pretty special. “The club is in a very good spot just now … we might lose a cou-
ple of experienced heads for next year but hopefully we have built enough of a foundation that we can keep getting better.” The match was refereed by upand-coming official Ben Alexander, whose calm control and firm decision-making added to a special occasion. Tasman Trophy final score: Central 33 (Lani Fihaki, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Peni Fihaki, Quentin MacDonald, Braden Stewart tries, Mitch Smith 4 con) Kahurangi 7 (Luca Inch try, Ben Johnston con). HT: 19-0 Meanwhile, in division two action Awatere, despite a flurry of red cards, downed Central 33-8 in Seddon on Friday evening. On Saturday, Waitohi beat MBC Old Boys 35-15, Moutere overcame Pelorus 41-5, while Renwick beat Harlequins 43-19.
