Blues bag vital victory

Peter Jones

Central showed just why they are defending Tasman Trophy rugby champions at Lansdowne Park on Saturday.

The Blues were forced to dig very deep to repel a stern challenge from Marist, taking the honours 24-22 after a thrilling climax to a high-intensity encounter.

The match result hinged on the success of an overtime conversion attempt by Marist first five Cooper Grant, who had just breached the staunch Central defence to bring his side within range of a draw.

However, the young No 10 pulled his handy kick wide, leaving the home side celebrating a victory based on gritty defence, coupled with an ability to get across the line from close range.

After weathering an early onslaught from the visitors, whose game was based on keeping the ball in hand, utilizing a sizeable, powerful pack and an elusive collection of outside backs, Central struck first.

After a counterattack, led by skipper Braden Stewart who left the game with injury after 20 minutes, halfback Ethan Jones dotted down.

It took only a few moments for Marist to reply, underlining their danger out wide with a slick try to Nic Sauiri, before Central bagged their second, winger Dave Fotu’s touchdown putting the home side back in the lead.

The visitors were not to be denied however, centre Lote Saulekaleka taking advantage of a fortuitous bounce to dash over.

Grant landed the only conversion of the first half to give his side a 12-10 advantage at halftime.

Marist laid siege to Central’s line after the break, only resolute defence keeping them out, before replacement flanker Jack Kelly, who tackled himself to a standstill, initiated a breakout.

A few minutes later the Blues had their third, winger Lani Fihaki dotting down. This time Mitch Smith converted from out wide, pushing his side to a 17-12 advantage.

But once again the tide turned, replacement hooker Luke Collier burrowing over for Marist to level the scores.

On the 70-minute mark Central bagged the decisive touchdown. A well-timed inside pass from Smith close to the Marist line saw centre Nigel Satherley carve through the wrong-footed defence.

Smith’s conversion gave the home side a seven-point lead, but the Nelson Bays champions were not done.

With the light fading and a raucous home crowd cheering every defensive tackle, the Blues were pinned on their line as Marist went to work, pounding away on the back of a string of offside penalties.

Eventually, with time well up on the clock, Grant breached the defensive wall, but failed to ice the kick, leaving the home side and their supporters both relived and ecstatic.

Stewart described his side’s 82-minute effort with pride.

“It was one of my proudest moments to watch the boys on the line in the last 10 … I know [Marist] scored at the end, but the ticker the lads showed was showed the way today, including fullback Jake Cresswell, backline general Smith, hooker Quentin MacDonald, lock Matt McCormick and Satherley, however this was very much a full team effort from a side whose resilience is becoming a hallmark.

Best of the Marist side was Grant and halfback Will Thornalley, fullback Luke Kilworth, lock Caleb Havili and prop Jake Wetere.

Both the other Marlborough-based sides in the Tasman Trophy were well beaten on Saturday, Waitohi losing 24-0 to Kahurangi in Picton, while Nelson downed Moutere 57-19 at Trafalgar Park. In the other match Stoke thrashed Waimea Old Boys 76-0.

Tasman Trophy points: Central 10, Stoke, Kahurangi 8, Marist 7, Nelson 5, Waimea Old Boys 5, Waitohi 0, Moutere 0. In division two action, Harlequins beat Pelorus 17-16, Central saw off Awatere 43-24 and Waitohi upset the previously unbeaten Renwick side 24-13.

Division two points: Renwick 20, Central 17, Waitohi 15, MBC Old Boys 10, Harlequins 9, Awatere 7, Pelorus 3.

In the Tasman Trophy women’s competition, the Wairau Wāhine went down 43-22 to Marist in Nelson, while Kahurangi beat Waimea Old Boys 24-19. Meanwhile, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV were unable to build on last weekend’s

MBC were well in it for most of the match, trailing just 10-5 at halftime and closing to 10-8 soon after.

Both sides employed kicking games in the heavy underfoot conditions. However, lineout inaccuracy, a couple of defensive mis-reads, and a resolute STAC defence denied the home side opportunities to maximise field position. Eventually the southerners, who made the most of the chances that came their way, bagged a couple of late tries to grab the honours.

Up front MBC were well served up front by Te Kore Manawatu, Johnny Vakaloa and Tafa Asiata, along with Luke Martella, Jack Burdon and Rico Nicklin. Tim Petrie, Cohen Stewart and Carter Aitken stood out on a difficult day for backs.