Tasman Makos: News

Top 3 emerge in Marlborough Club Rugby
17-May-2010

Marlborough Express - JOHN ALEXANDER
Unless a major form reversal occurs, Waitohi, Central and Moutere have already established themselves a class above the chasing pack in the Wadsco Marlborough premier club rugby competition.

In Saturday's matches, Waitohi unleashed their considerable fire-power on Kaikoura at Picton to win 74-0, running in 12 tries.

Central withstood plenty of pressure to beat Moutere 18-5 in the feature game at Lansdowne Park, while at Renwick the home side did most of the attacking but came up short 12-13 against a determined Harlequins team.

Central 18 Moutere 5

The final scoreline hardly illustrated the course of this hard-fought, often messy traditional town v country derby.

Moutere spent most of the first half on attack but by halftime they trailed 0-5. Lock Daniel Crockett pounced on a loose ball over Moutere's goal line following a strong run down the left wing by Taylor Wilson. Unfortunately, Crockett was carried off soon after with ankle ligament injuries.

Moutere had numerous opportunities to score, but outstanding defence, wrong options, poor discipline in conceding too many penalties at the breakdown and other errors kept the Blues' line intact.

A jinking run early in the second half by Moutere centre Benji Keenan should have got the Magpies on the board, but Greg Blick uncharacteristically missed the resulting penalty goal from close range.

Moutere chose a lineout instead of a shot at goal 11 minutes into the half and although hooker Vernon Fredericks was taken out over the corner flag, Moutere did eventually score when a cut-out pass from Blick found fullback Taurean George unmarked out wide.

Moutere continued to dominate territorially, Blick's kicking game keeping them inside enemy territory for the most part.

A brawl between the two packs erupted in the 22nd minute, at the end of which Moutere flanker James Pigou was sin-binned by referee Ken McKenzie. Central halfback Nick Corkin took a quick tap, milked another 10 metres upfield and Rawiri Tamati slotted the goal.

Blick missed another penalty goal opportunity then Central sewed up the game when prop Jonathan Tiueti drove over with seven minutes remaining, Tamati adding the conversion then kicking a late penalty.

Defence was definitely the key to Central's win, and experienced lock Bruce Bromwich said afterwards this was the toughest game he had played for a long time.

Outstanding for Central was hard-working No8 Reyne Volavola, Bromwich and Adam Goldsworthy who defended stoutly. The backs had few opportunities but generally made their tackles, and Tamati's goal-kicking proved a decisive factor.

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For Moutere, locks Warrick De Waal and Stu Campbell were tireless, while prop Mick Schaer was prominent in the first half.

New halfback Curtis McLean looked a good prospect and rugged, having a good duel with his opposite, Corkin.

Harlequins 13 Renwick 12

Harlequins rediscovered their heart and passion, key ingredients in a win that wasn't flash but will boost the struggling team's confidence.

Renwick had most of the possession, retained the ball well but could not penetrate enough to win against a depleted but gutsy defence. With several players unavailable, coach Mark Terry had to call on players from Harlequins division two team to fill gaps and they all stepped up.

Renwick coach Matt MacDougall was brutally honest in assessing both teams' performances after a tight, error-riddled arm-wrestle when he said it was a typical close match between fourth and fifth-placed teams.

Renwick's chances weren't helped by poor goal-kicking followed by decisions to kick for touch instead of goal when opportunities arose.

The error rate was far too high and neither team showed they could be a threat to the top teams, MacDougall said. "Really disappointed we couldn't step up and beat a team under us on the points table. Gutting, but we'll keep going."

Quins coach Mark Terry saluted his team's performance, saying they absorbed a lot of pressure and tackled their hearts out.

Hooker Simon Muir scored their first half try on the back of a strong run from lock Thomas Cretney.

No8 Ethan Gleeson scored the second half try with Gavin Morrison adding a penalty.

Coach Terry singled out his loose-forward trio of Ryan Pigou, Joel Logan and Gleeson for special mention plus props Aaron Smith and veteran Martin Mason.

Halfback Daniel MacDonald and centre George Millar were standouts in the backs.

For Renwick, flanker Troy Willemshurst featured with an aggressive all-round display.

Hooker Matt Preece had a top game, but Renwick's backs were unable to convert territory and pressure into points.

Midfielder Aaron Bancroft scored under the posts in the first half, but Ryan Schollum's conversion missed, and near full-time, winger BJ Bampton touched down, Kyle Marfell adding the conversion.

Waitohi 74 Kaikoura 0

Waitohi were too good all-round against a depleted Kaikoura side in which coach Barry Hansen was forced to put forwards in backline positions.

Although Kaikoura gave a good account of themselves up front, especially in the first half, they were no match for the classy Waitohi backs with fullback Hepe Beech scoring his second successive hat-trick.

Normally a winger, Beech dotted down three times from centre against Moutere two weeks ago and on Saturday he showed his try-scoring instincts from fullback, pace and timing the key ingredients.

Waitohi led 29-0 at halftime, three tries in the opening 15 minutes setting the tone and coach Murray Burgess said it was pleasing they kept the pressure on and didn't let up in the second 40.

Hooker Keiran Gaudin capped off a good game with two tries, No8 Manu Mataele excelled with ball in hand and flanker Les Ivamy had his best game of the season.

First-five Daniel Hawkins, well served by halfback James Giles, along with Beech and winger Michael Hillgrove impressed in a backline which strung together several outstanding plays.

Kaikoura coach Hansen singled out Dwayne Timms, Phil Guthrie and Craig Armstrong as his best forwards, Guthrie playing in five different positions during the match.

James Hunt at second five and halfback Tom Bell worked hard throughout, but with just the bare 15 players, the Cray Coasters were always on a hiding to nothing.

CLUB RUGBY WRAP

Results: Central 18 (Daniel Crockett, Jonathan Tiueti tries, Rawiri Tamati con, 2 pen) Moutere 5 (Taurean George try). Half-time 5-0 Central Harlequins 13 (Simon Muir, Ethan Gleeson tries, Gavin Morrison pen) Renwick 12 (Aaron Bancroft, BJ Bampton tries, Kyle Marfell con). Half-time 8-5 Harlequins Waitohi 74 (Hepe Beech 3, Daniel Hawkins 2, Keiran Gaudin 2, Hayden Gaudin, James Giles, Michael Hillgrove, Kenneth Karena, Manu Mataele tries, Hawkins 7 con) Kaikoura 0. Half-time Waitohi 29-0