Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Waitohi celebrate after thrilling final
It was an emotional and rewarding occasion for the Waitohi Rugby community at Lansdowne Park last weekend when their senior side lift the coveted Wadsco Marlborough Sub Union Trophy.
It was a massive achievement for the Picton club and one they richly deserved after improving every week of the competition and holding their nerve in the final to pip a gallant Renwick side by a single point.
Waitohi had some obvious motivations, including playing for the memory of the late Bevan Moody but they also mixed that passion with some smart decision-making to nail the key moments of the final.
They have some really talented players that have come into the district this season who have team up with their core of local Picton lads to form a good combo.
For Renwick, it’s a bitter pill to swallow as they have arguably been the best team all season leading up to the final but again de´ja` vu struck and they fell at the last hurdle again as they did last season.
Rugby can be a game of inches and that was evident again in this final with Renwick being about as close as you can get to winning a final without getting the spoils.
You have to fell for the Green Machine as they played well plus they have done a great job as a club to get their side to this position.
I know what it feels like to lose finals and it isn’t fun but they will be back and they have a really good chance to cement themselves as the top team in Marlborough for a few years to come.
Modern technology is great. I was able to watch the Wadsco Marlborough Sub Union Trophy Final from my hotel room in St Cyprian in France via the Tasman Rugby Facebook’s live feed which started at 5am local time here in France.
I’m over managing the New Zealand Under-20 side at the World Cup in Southern France.
We play three pool games and then semifinals and finals across three cities; Perpignan, Narbonne and Beziers.
In the team are two fellow Mako lads; Leicester Faingaanuku and Jamie Spowart who both have starred in our team first up wins over Japan and Wales.
I’m really enjoying some French culture and their love for the game of rugby. They love a good scrum in this country, with that being a massive focus for them.
Lastly, congratulations to Mark Taggert who was this week’s Dodson St Cheers to Volunteers voucher winner.