Central too strong for Kahurangi side

Blenheim’s Central have won their first Stuff Tasman Trophy, becoming the first Marlborough side to win the competition in eight years – and the first team in the region to win a playoff final on home soil.

More than 1000 people from both sides of the Whangamoas flocked to Lansdowne Park in Blenheim on Saturday afternoon to witness a piece of Tasman rugby history, as the top two teams of the 2022 season, Central and Kahurangi, clashed for a trophy which both were yet to have their names on.

Their only other encounter this season ended in a 33-22 Kahurangi victory, when Central travelled to Motueka in May. This time, Central dominated to win 33-7.

Central began the playoff final explosively, with wing Lani Fihaki scoring the first try of the day in the eighth minute, using a grubber kick down the right-hand corner of the pitch to slide past the Kahurangi defence.

The combined Motueka-Riwaka side had their first chance of getting on the scoreboard 17 minutes in, but they were denied three points from a penalty shot when the ball bounced off the right post.

A try by Central and Moana Pasifika wing Timoci Tavatavanawai was converted at the 23-min mark and a further five points came from No 8 Penisimani Fihaki 10min later, making the score 19-0 to Central at halftime.

Their dominance continued after the break, when a successful push after a lineout on the Kahurangi 5-metre line extended the lead again. A further try by captain Braden Stewart meant Central were up by 33 with less than 10min to go.

Kahurangi finally broke through the Central defence in the final minute, with prop Luca Inch crossing.