Marton hit their stride in draw
The new Marton team in Tasman Tanning Premier continues to make big strides as a second-half comeback saw them fight out a 22-22 draw with Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist at Marton Park on Saturday.
The home side trailed 10-0 at halftime against the 2023 semifinalists, who claimed a converted try along with winger Ioane Hough slotting a penalty.
But in their first home Premier match in 10 years, Marton came back strongly in the second half, with tries from prop Faamanu Pulemagafa, lock Kaliova Rasese and halfback Dakuitoga Natuquata, while fullback Baba Jr Peika converted two of them and added a penalty.
Marist scored two more tries — their five-pointers coming through the playmaking group — halfback Daniel Kauika, second five Jamie Robertson and centre Josaia Bogileka who, like Rasese, scored for the
second week in a row.
Kauika and first five Wiremu Morgan added conversions.
Also showing respectability was the new Rā tana Premier team in their first trip to Dallison Park for a Premier game since 2019, against the dominant Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield holders Waverley Harvesting Border who had too much firepower in the 43-7 win.
Few in the Pā would need reminding that the last time a Rā tana Premier side went to Waverley, the
home side raised over a century of points, one of the catalysts in Rā tana reverting to being a Senior club to rebuild themselves in preparation for their 100th anniversary season.
They gave a solid account this time, trailing three converted tries to one at halftime, but the home side’s star players contributed four more tries in the second half — Border having the ability to score in bursts.
The dominant Steelform Whanganui midfield combination of Timoci Seruwalu and Alekesio
Vakarorogo scored doubles, as did flanker and skipper Angus Middleton.
Utility back Nick Harding scored the other try, while first five Tyrone Albert contributed four conversions, the good win acknowledging the 50th game of speedy outside back Harry Symes.
Rā tana’s try came from second five Mitai Hemi, with first five Brooklyn Herewini adding the extras.
In the Senior competition, all of the leading teams continued their strong
start, as the returning McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu held on to their newly won Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield with a 31-0 away win over McCrea Scanning Counties.
The first victory by one of the Rā tana men’s teams was achieved as the Senior team worked to a hardfought 22-10 win over Border in the Dallison Park curtainraiser.
Bennett’s Taihape held off defending champions Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic in the second half for a 33-27 win at City College.