No 8 sparks matchwinning performance
WITH one monster run, No 8 Lio Tosi kickstarted Marist into action on Saturday — for 40 minutes or so of the game, at least.
Marist hosted the EasternNorthern Barbarians at Miller St, in Invercargill, in the only Southland premier club rugby fixture played on Saturday.
A firedup Barbarians outfit took charge, outmuscling the competition leader in the early exchanges.
Twelve minutes in, the Barbarians got some reward for their dominance, when blindside Jimmy Napier scored from a wellworked rolling maul.
The Barbarians continued to hold the upper hand before Marist found some muchneeded possession and territory and struck a cruel blow when fullback Bryce Morgan scored.
Then Tosi entered the game.
The imposing No 8 was handed the ball from the kickoff and set off as the Barbarians defenders struggled to halt the 120kgplus and 1.9m runaway train.
Tosi found loosehead prop Shaun Stodart in support, who in turn linked with lock Ben Nally, who scored a try in which the forwards roamed like backs.
It helped propel Marist from a position where it was 50 down to 325 up, midway through the second half.
It scored five tries in total, wings Dom Sipa and Keanu Kahukura also dotting down.
Morgan’s second try was also a beauty, the slippery fullback benefiting from a good run by Scott Eade.
To the Barbarians’ credit, and to Marist’s frustration, the country team was not about to roll over.
The visiting side took charge in the final 15 minutes of the game, in an effort which could well be important come the end of the season.
It found plenty of goforward from the bench, in particular No 8 Jordie Bungard, and scored three late tries to secure two bonus points.
The last of the tries was on the stroke of fulltime and ensured the Barbarians picked up a fourtry bonus point.
The conversion by Caleb Young also ensured they finished within seven points, at 3226 to lock in the second bonus point.
The Barbarians now sit tied in fourth spot in the competition standings with PiratesOld Boys.
The two teams will meet at Surrey Park on Saturday.
Marist is also now eyeing a big showdown on Saturday.
It sits in top spot in the competition standings and will take on secondplaced Woodlands, at Woodlands.
Woodlands played on Thursday night last week and recorded a 2317 win over Blues.
PiratesOld Boys and Star also met on Thursday night, PiratesOld Boys winning 3224.
Southland’s division one and division three competitions took a break over Queen’s Birthday weekend, although division two fixtures did go ahead.
In section A, competition leader AlbionExcelsior was given a scare, when it just squeaked past Waikiwi, 3534.
Nothing could separate Riverton and DrummondLimehillsStar in a 1212 draw.
In the third fixture in section A, Pioneer beat Tokanui 2720.
In section B, Blues remained unbeaten with a 267 win over Woodlands, Wakatipu beat Marist 4236, and Star ran away with a 437 win over PiratesOld Boys.