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Central cap season in fine style

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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.” 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 couple 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.

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.

Rangers AFC close in on title

PETER JONES

Rangers AFC took a couple of huge steps towards reclaiming the Nelson men’s division one football crown on Saturday. Firstly, they downed an enthusiastic FC Nelson Karenni side 2-0 on a trick pitch at Victory Square, then they heard that their closest challengers for the title, Nelson Suburbs Under-23, had lost, leaving Rangers three points clear at the top of the table with just two games to play. Although the cards fell Rangers’ way at the weekend, they faced some serious challenges along the way. They had to do without several regulars for this vital match, six players being absent for various reasons, and at one stage were down to just 10 players for the trip over the hill. Fortunately for them, senior football in Marlborough was cancelled at the weekend, leaving Rangers free to pick up Boyd Elvy, Alex Duley and Guy Nolan from their Development side, players described as “saviours” by Rangers’ manager Wolfie Waechter. Their opponents, mainly players from the Myanmar community in Nelson, were also handy opposition, being spurred on by a large, vocal band of supporters. The third part of the equation was the boggy pitch, which cut up quickly and favoured the lighter Karenni players, leaving the Rangers side struggling for purchase as the game went on. In the early stages Rangers’ front-runners Louie Poletti, Carl Connor-McClean and Harrison Pine had scoring opportunities but failed to convert, keeping the home side’s hopes up. The first goal came after 20 minutes, Connor-McClean breaking clear around halfway and setting off on a superb solo run, which ended with him calmly slotting the ball into the right corner of the net. Sitting on a 1-0 halftime lead, Rangers held their composure as the game became heated, players throwing themselves into tackles and the referee dishing out several cards. However, it took just 15 minutes of the second stanza for the visitors to double their advantage, Connor-McClean scoring from the penalty spot after the home side committed a foul in the box. From then Rangers held firm in defence, the reshuffled back three of Tore Waechter, player of the day Callum McDonald and Kane Elvy defusing everything that came their way. Midfielders Pine and Bjorn Waechter claimed most of the 50/50 balls that came their way while Poletti and Connor-McClean continued their profitable partnership up front. Next week Rangers AFC play Richmond, who denied them the title last season, at A&P Park, knowing a win will bring the trophy back to Blenheim. Their final game is away against FC Nelson, who beat Nelson Suburbs 5-2 yesterday, with Wolfie suggesting his side were focussed on wrapping up proceedings next week and not leaving it until the last game of a tough season.

WOMEN DRAW

Meanwhile the Rangers AFC women’s side returned to action on Saturday, after a four-week hiatus. They were up against FC Nelson at the Botanics and came away with a 3-3 draw. The early play was back and forth, strong work from Rangers’ defenders Kirsten Maas and Maddy Sinclair, plus keeper Taz Gilbert keeping the home side at bay while Lauren Sloan, Lucy Martin and Katie Pugh tested the opposing keeper. The first goal came from Sloan, who smacked the ball into the top corner but by the halftime whistle FC Nelson had replied, scoring two of their own to take a narrow advantage into the break. Ten minutes into the second spell, luck swung Rangers’ way. A blistering run from Pugh produced a smart delivery to Sloan, who drove it past the keeper to equalise. Then the visitors took the lead, sterling work by Maddy Rowe and Pugh delivering the ball to Sloan who tapped it in for her hat-trick. With time ticking down, FC launched a last-ditch attack. This time luck was on their side, a long shot bouncing off the crossbar to an attacking player who tucked it in to level the scores. Coach Andrea Smith-Scott said it was good to have the team back on the field after what has been an incredibly disjointed season so far. “The draw was probably a fair indication of how equal the teams were today – but we know we can bring so much more to the pitch – and hopefully we can build some momentum now for the final five games of the season,” she said. Standout players for Rangers were Gilbert, Nicky Smith-Scott, Maas, Sinclair, Maddy Rowe, Lea Poletti and Pugh while prolific goal scorer Sloan was player of the day.

Carl Connor-McClean, right, and Harrison Pine stood out for Rangers AFC on Saturday. File photo.

Rangers AFC hat-trick hero Lauren Sloan in action against FC Nelson on Saturday. Photo: Supplied.

Ave lands contract

PETER JONES

The cricketing career of former Marlborough wicketkeeper/batsman Ma’ara Ave has taken another big step forward. Ma’ara, who now plays out of Manawatū, has been included on the Central Stags’ professional roster for the 2022/23 season, one of two first-time contract recipients alongside Hawke’s Bay pace bowler Liam Dudding. Their inclusion takes the number of players contracted by Central Districts to the maximum 16, after the pair was offered and accepted contracts in the second round of annual negotiations. Ma’ara has represented the Stags in red-ball and white-ball formats in recent seasons and has been pushing hard for a spot in the contracted squad through his performances for Central Districts A and Manawatu. Ma’ara made his T20 debut for the Stags last season, playing his first three matches in the Dream11 Super Smash campaign. He has also captained Central Districts A and made his overall Central Stags debut in October 2018 in the Ford Trophy — playing eight one-dayers that season, and recalled in the one-day format in January this year at Pukekura Park. Ma’ara said he was excited to be able to channel more time into his game. An honours graduate in chemical engineering with a Masters in Dairy Science and Technology, Ma’ara is a researcher for Fonterra. The busy all-round sportsman said it took a while to sink in when he was contacted by CD. “I was a bit taken back, but I was stoked,” he said. “It’s something that’s been a goal for a while now, and it will make it a lot easier for me to throw everything at the game and see how far I can take my cricket.” He said his first taste of first-class and T20 Domestic level in 2021/22 made him realise how much he loved the game and its challenges.

Ma’ara Ave in action for the Stags. Photo: Supplied.

Seddon Shield claimed with clean sweep

PETER JONES

The Seddon Shield remained in Marlborough hands after the under-52kg Red Devils blazed an unbeaten path through the annual primary rugby tournament in Hokitika. Heading into their final match of the tournament on Friday, against arch-rival Nelson on Cass Square, Marlborough needed a victory to retain the prestigious trophy, which they shared with Nelson in Buller last year. They made no mistake. By halftime the win was in the bag, the young Red Devils producing some unstoppable rugby to lead 31-0 in testing conditions. Although Nelson scored a consolation try near the end of proceedings, the match ended 31-7 and the Marlborough contingent were able to celebrate a dominant week. Tryscorers against Nelson were Oliver Cody, Sam Johnston, James Litchfield, Lukas Dowling and Ahurei Devon-James, who also landed three conversions. Earlier, Marlborough downed Buller 46-0 on Tuesday, West Coast 39-19 on Wednesday and Golden Bay Motueka 51-7 on Thursday. Their for and against record was mighty impressive, racking up 167 points while conceding just 33, a total that included only five tries. Manager Kieran Hickman said the boys “were just buzzing”. “It was a united team effort all week … from number one to 20, they all played their part. We had no superstars, but every one of the team had each other’s back … there was a really great culture in this squad.” He also put their success down to an eight-week lead-in to the tournament. “It helped having seven boys back from last year’s tournament, they knew what to expect. We are all rapt with the effort the boys put into [the week].” Marlborough’s efforts were rewarded when 10 of the 20-strong squad were named in the Seddon Shield tournament team, while Zephur Dollimore was voted tackler of the tournament. Included in the tournament team were: Zephur Dollimore, Ahurei Devon-James, Oliver Cody, Kymani Tikotiko-Lal, Jade Joseph, Liam Cohen, James Litchfield, Viliami Manoa, Tyrone Langi and Josh Harris. The Marlborough contingent come from nine different schools and include two players from Kaikoura, one from St Joseph’s Primary School and the other from Kaikoura High School.

The Marlborough team was:

Ahurei Devon-James, Oliver Cody, Fionn Heagney, Viliami Manoa, Jono Planthaber, Sam Johnston, Zephur Dollimore, Kymani Tikotiko-Lal, Lukas Dowling, James Litchfield, Tyrone Langi, Connor Claridge, Liam Cohen, Cooper Paulo, Izac McLeod, Josh Harris, Jack Wickens, Zavier McDonald, Jade Joseph, Louis Hickman. Coaches Paddy Dowling and Glenn Blackmore.

The Marlborough under-52kg primary rep team with the coveted Seddon Shield. Photo: Supplied.

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