Tasman Makos: News

Waitohi sets the bar in Marlborough Rugby
27-Apr-2010

Marlborough Express - JOHN ALEXANDER
Crafar Crouch Waitohi have raised the bar to a level other teams in the Wadsco Marlborough premier club rugby competition will struggle to match if Saturday's brilliant 40-19 win over Moutere is any indication.

What was expected to be a close battle between the two top-of-the-table traditional rivals was all over by halftime as a contest, Waitohi turning on some of the most exhilarating club rugby to lead 37-7 at the Waitohi Domain in Picton.

The result pushed them six points clear at the top of the points table and, despite losing, Moutere remain in second place equal with Central.

The Blues muddled their way to a hard-fought 21-11 victory over a vastly-improved Awatere side at Lansdowne Park in a match blighted with errors from both sides.

Harlequins' players and supporters finally had something to cheer about, ending a horror nine-match losing streak dating back to last May with a thoroughly convincing 36-3 win over Kaikoura at Takahanga Domain.

The result was a big confidence booster and a win over Central on Saturday would put them right back into the title hunt.

WAITOHI 40 MOUTERE 19

Even the Moutere supporters and coaches were applauding the magnificent first-half performance of a Waitohi side fired up for the clash of the country cousins and their coach Murray Burgess acknowledged it was one of the best halves of rugby he had seen from his side in recent years.

On a dry, dusty surface Waitohi showed off their considerable attacking fire-power, punishing Moutere's mistakes and creating some wonderful counter-attack.

Moutere's forwards were quite dominant early at scrum and lineout time and mounted several good drives, spearheaded by standout prop Joe Collins.

Daniel Hawkins kicked a long range penalty to get the home side cracking but Moutere scored the first try, flanker James Pigou burrowing over.

However, within the space of 10 minutes, Waitohi struck back with three super tries. First-five Hawkins set up the first, nudging a perfectly placed cross-kick for wing Hayden Gaudin to run on to and feed flying centre Hepe Beech for the first of his hat-trick.

Then Hawkins featured twice in another fine move, skipper Les Ivamy initiating it from a back-pedalling scrum.

They followed that up with a brilliant counter-attacking try. Hawkins ran it out from inside his 22, Beech and Hawkins featured in the resulting play, Manu Mataele was caught just short and popped up a pass for Gaudin to latch on to and score.

Beech made it three before halftime, scorching 60 metres when Moutere dropped the ball in midfield.

The second half was more even. Moutere's forwards toiled well and were rewarded with tries to replacement wing Alex Leaf and wing Benji Keenan.

Everyone contributed in a fine Waitohi performance, the standout being Hawkins, who showed vision way beyond his teenage years to go with his considerable ability.

Scott Ivamy was Mr Steady in midfield, James Giles got the backs cracking and fullback Hayden Woolley was a constant threat on attack. Number eight Mataele took the ball up strongly as did Joe Stewart and Les Ivamy.

Collins impressed for Moutere as did Pigou and first-five Greg Blick in the second half but their go-to man, hooker Vernon Fredericks, was well contained for most of the match by a fired up Waitohi.

After the match, victorious coach Burgess admitted even he was surprised how well his team played in the first half.

"I knew we had the capability. There was a lot of passion in that first half and we didn't give up any soft penalties."

Referee Dean Bishop contributed to a fine game with an excellent display.

HARLEQUINS 36 KAIKOURA 3

Harlequins' coach Mark Terry was justifiably proud of his men after a convincing win based on total commitment up front and superior speed and skill in the backs.

The return of George Millar was always going to help and, significantly, he scored two tries from centre and featured in much of the attacking play.

Wing Andrew Miller capitalised on the good work achieved up front by also running in a brace of tries.

"We finally stepped up and played with a bit of heart. The backs went well but it was a good forward effort," Terry said.

Harlequins' performance started in the tight five led by hooker Simon Muir and prop Fetu Ieremia.

Brothers in arms Brodie and Joel Logan, at six and seven respectively, tore into their work with enthusiasm and in the backs, Daniel MacDonald and Jason Sekai impressed along with Millar and Miller.

Harlequins have played well for periods in every match this season and this performance showed they can't be written off as semifinal contenders.

Kaikoura coach Barry Hansen lamented his team's lack of fire.

"We just weren't there. A flat performance."

Kaikoura were competitive up front, as always, with flankers Craig Armstrong, Dwayne Timms and hooker Les Hohera the pick.

Kaikoura created a few scoring opportunities and played well in patches but as Hansen said, "We need to do it for 80 minutes. Things didn't go our way today and the boys are gutted."

CENTRAL 21 AWATERE 11

For the second game in a row, last year's champions won ugly � although plenty of credit has to go to a vastly improved Awatere side.

Blues' coach Neville Saul said his side lacked intensity, although he said it wasn't through a lack of trying.

"We created a lot of chances but dropped the ball. It's frustrating. We feel we are getting there, but we can't quite put it all together."

Central led 14-6 at halftime with halfback Nick Corkin scoring the first of their two tries early on.

First-five Russell McKinney added another in the second spell, after a well-worked wrap-around move.

Best of the Central forwards were Dan Crockett, Dan McPherson, Reyne Volavola and Adam Goldsworthy while Corkin and McKinney combined well.

The battle between two quality halfbacks, Corkin and Awatere's Hamish Murray, was a feature.

Flanker Jason Hammond highlighted an impressive game with Awatere's try. Hammond was into everything, defending strongly and taking the ball up on numerous occasions.

Prop Kurt Lindsay was Awatere's player of the day for another strong display while in the backs second-five Heath Forsyth and fullback Sam Clouston were singled out by co-coach Steve Crockett for their fine efforts.

Teams will breath a sigh of relief this week with no mid-week rugby. In next weekend's matches, Harlequins and Central clash at Lansdowne Park. Kaikoura are away to Moutere and Renwick host Awatere.