Marton send out a message they are Premier contenders
Marton continue to be the surprise story of the 2024 Tasman Tanning Premier rugby season after a late try snatched a 13-12 victory over 2023 runners-up Byford’s Readimix Taihape on Saturday.
Invoking historic memories of the last time Marton defeated Taihape in an away Premier game, 17-16 to lift the Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield in 2014, the new-look Rangitīkei side have moved into clear third place after two wins and a draw from their first four games back in the top flight.
Even without Steelform Whanganui captain Dane Whale on the team sheet to play against his old family club — although fellow Taihape recruit Tim Goodwin faced his old mates from fullback — Marton were right in it, trailing 7-5 at halftime, with Taihape’s points coming from an automatic seven-point penalty try.
Taihape got an individual try from outside back Aaron Chapman, while Whale’s replacement first fiveeighths in Faleseu Tauailoto slotted a penalty for a 12-8 lead with the clock counting down.
But Marton’s second try took them to another narrow victory for the campaign, while denting Taihape’s current title aspirations further, after they also lost by one point last weekend to Tāmata Hauhā Rātana.
Rā tana could not put together a repeat upset, as Wanganui Car
Centre Kaierau maintained second place on the ladder with a 27-12 win at the Country Club.
Kaierau were eager to take advantage of a dominant set piece, particularly at the lineout, but found Rā tana plucky and determined at the breakdown, led by player-coach Jamie Hughes at flanker.
Peceli Malanicagi continues to be one of the form outside backs of the competition, adding two more tries to his total, while first five Ethan Robinson contributed 12 points from a try, a penalty and two conversions.
In his comeback from injury, utility back Sheldon Pakinga came off the bench to also dot down.
Rā tana contested everything,
pulling their hosts into a scrappy match, their tries coming from loose forward Tawhiwhi Karatiana and hooker Bryant Galpin.
The Senior grade kicked off on Friday night with the Border Rugby & Sports Club’s annual “Duck Shooting” game at Dallison Park, with the travelling Kelso Hunterville
shaking off the disappointment of a last-second loss to Rā tana to run up a big 58-7 win.
The Brotherhood and their supporters in the Pā were on good behaviour after some rowdy scenes last weekend, but it was Black Bull Liquor Pirates who secured a morale-lifting 29-10 victory.