Everyone’s a winner after club rugby kick-off at Awarua

good that was. I think Central would be first to say that that was a real game of rugby.

tere lineout to dot down.

Both teams came away from the opening round of Marlborough premier rugby satisfied with their efforts.

Central, the reigning Tasman Trophy and Marlborough sub-division champs, beat Moutere 4117 under lights at Awarua Park on Thursday night, getting their 2023 campaign off to a satisfying bonus-point start.

Their opponents were also satisfied with their effort, especially after the club has been unable to field a stand-alone Magpies side in the top echelon of top of the south rugby for the past two seasons.

This year they have cobbled a side together, stepping into the void left by Renwick in premier play, and are intent on building a team capable of taking on any of the top Tasman Trophy contenders.

The Blues were a tough proposition first up, but the Magpies can be justifiably proud of their showing, trailing by just 12 points midway through the second spell before letting in a couple of late tries to inflate the scoreline.

Moutere head coach Jeremy Clark said his side were “stoked” after the match.

“Their energy was really good, they played very well. That was the Tasman champs we just played and I thought the scoreboard didn’t quite reflect how

“We put the heat on them and the fact they brought some more experienced players off the bench to finish the game was a mark of respect for our boys.

“We have only had three weeks together and one pre-season match so the boys’ are happy and their heads are up high … they are proud of what they did tonight.

“And we will just keep doing that and one day the result will be in our favour,” added Jeremy. Central player/coach Quentin MacDonald was also pleased with the result.

“We are still building nicely and we started with a pretty fresh pack so it was good to come out here to Awarua, where some of the boys haven’t played for a while, and put some good footy together.

“There’s still plenty to work on but it is good to see such a competitive Moutere side again. It’s awesome to have them back and to play footy out here again.”

The match opened with a burst of scoring, a try to Central winger David Fotu in the third minute quickly matched by a touchdown to Moutere midfielder Jake Pacey. Conversions to Mitch Smith and Pacey saw the scores level, before Central surged ahead five minutes later, prop Jeremy Foley taking advantage of a wayward Mou-

Pacey’s second try on the quarter hour mark reduced the deficit again, but further tries to Fotu, fellow winger Lani Fihaki and halfback Ethan Jones saw the Blues ahead 29-12 at the break.

The first half of the second spell was scoreless as the sides struggled for cohesion, before a try to replacement Max Morris from a lineout drive saw the home side cut the deficit to 12.

Finally stung into action, Central upped the ante, going to their bench, and they finished well, Fihaki bagging his second and replacement hooker Quentin MacDonald dotting down on fulltime to ensure there was no late Moutere comeback.

Sione Lonitenisi, Matt McCormick and Edan Fitzpatrick stood out up front for the victors, with Ben Filipo, Nigel Satherley and Jake Cresswell shining in the backline.

Atu Taufa, Monu Moli, and Archie Schluter impressed for Moutere, Ben Finau, Angus Phillip and Pacey the pick of the back division.

Next weekend Central host Waitohi at Lansdowne Park in the second sub-union clash.

Scores: Central 41 (Dave Fotu 2, Lani Fihaki 2, Ethan Jones, Jeremy Foley, Quentin MacDonald tries, Mitch Smith 3 con) Moutere 17 (Jake Pacey 2, Max Morris tries, Pacey con) HT: 29-12.