Central withstand fierce Kahurangi challenge
Reigning champions Central withstood a fierce Kahurangi challenge to stay unbeaten in the Stuff Tasman Trophy club rugby championship.
After last week’s bye, Kahurangi were making their competition debut before a loud and loyal home crowd at Cooks Reserve in Riwaka. They almost pulled off the perfect start, but for a late score by the Marlborough men.
At Trafalgar Park on Saturday, there were comfortable wins for Marist, which also remains unbeaten, and Stoke.
Kahurangi 20 Central 23
With only two trainings under their belts and a first-round bye, Kahurangi were a bit of an unknown factor as they took on Central at Riwaka on Saturday.
In the event, the home team pushed the two-times champions all the way before going down to an 82nd minute try from front rower Mausia Papani.
Kahurangi coach Brendon Smith was reasonably happy with the performance, which could have been even sweeter if they had taken some of the opportunities they created. “Central are a pretty physical outfit and dominated long periods of the game, but it was there for the winning. We just couldn’t quite finish it.”
Central player coach Quentin MacDonald said it was a tough, even battle and his side was happy to take home the John Goodman Challenge Trophy.
He said flanker Jack Kelly was the player of the day, tackling “everything that moved”, and there were strong performances from centre Jake Cresswell and winger Eric Lawson.
Marist 45 Moutere 10
It was always a tough task for Moutere coming over the hill to take on last year’s runners-up Marist at Trafalgar Park.
And so it proved, with the green machine running in two early tries on the way to a comfortable 21-5 halftime lead.
Moutere manager Alistair Sutherland said they had played a lot of rugby and built phases well but “we just couldn’t bend their line”.
“They are well drilled on both attack and defence. We take a bit of learning out of it. It’s definitely the bar we want to get to.”
For Moutere, player of the day was fullback Clyde Paewai, while flanker Jack Burdon and No 8 Vailua Kaloni had strong games.
For Marist, halfback Wil Thornalley bagged two tries.
Nelson 19 Stoke 45
Stoke notched up their first win of the season, seeing off Nelson at Trafalgar Park in a tough, physical encounter. Stoke used the ball well in an up-tempo opening, with winger Nick Worthington scoring a brace of early tries.
Stoke led 28-5 at halftime, but it was much more even in the second half, with Nelson scoring twice.
Standings:
Marist 10, Central 8, Waimea Old Boys 5, Stoke 5, Kahurangi 1, Nelson 0, Moutere 0.