Tasman Makos: News

Renwick cause headaches with upset win
14-Jun-2010

Marlborough Express - JOHN ALEXANDER
Renwick caused the upset in Saturday's round of the Wadsco Marlborough premier club rugby competition on their home patch with a crucial victory over last year's champions Central.

The Green Machine were thoroughly deserved 17-15 winners even though Central first-five Rawiri Tamati had a last minute opportunity to tie the match up with a conversion attempt of Nick Corkin's try.

The kick, from midway between touch and the uprights, missed narrowly and Renwick celebrated a crucial result which keeps their semifinal play-off hopes very much alive.

Waitohi increased their lead at the top of the points table to 11 following a convincing 41-13 win over Harlequins at Picton, a good return to form after last week's shock loss to Awatere.

Awatere continued their resurgence with a comprehensive 53-12 win over Kaikoura at Takahanga Domain in Kaikoura. Awatere are now five points off fourth placed Renwick, with a game in hand.

Renwick 17 Central 15 It might not have been anywhere near top-quality rugby skill wise, but the match was hard-fought and exciting throughout and the final result was met with justifiable jubilation from the Renwick players and supporters.

This was a "must win" match for the Green Machine and they played accordingly. They were more urgent and more direct than a Central team which had ball to work with, but lacked cohesion and accuracy in the backs.

The experienced hands led the way for Renwick, especially in the second half. As the conditions worsened with wind, rain and freezing cold temperatures, Renwick got better.

Captain and No8 Hamish Greenwood was outstanding with ball in hand, both in defence and as the go-to-man at lineout time.

Prop Anaru Norton continued from where he left off for Marlborough on Monday, into everything and getting heavily involved around the paddock. So too hooker Ryan McQuillan, the Mr Versatile of the Green Machine pack, this time back in his regular position at hooker.

Renwick's backs were much more direct. Halfback Ryan Schollum cleared well, first-five Kyle Marfell consistently took on the line and kicked astutely and Julius Bradley excelled on both attack and defence. Fullback David Fotu returned the ball with interest.

Midfielder Onolevu Temo and fullback/halfback Nick Corkin were easily Central's best backs and appropriately each scored a try, Timo's from a scrum tight-head in the first quarter and Corkin's in the dying stages of the match.

Winger Sam Neal's try was a match highlight, McQuillan, Greenwood, Fotu and Marfell featuring in the best move of the game.

In the Central forward pack, lock Daniel Crockett had a strong game as did impressive No8 Reyne Volavola. Corkin was a constant threat on attack, but looked better suited to his regular halfback spot.

Waitohi 41 Harlequins 13Waitohi took a little while to find their form, but in the end cruised to a comfortable victory over an injury-hit Harlequins.

The Quins were in the match just 13-14 down at halftime, but by the end of 80 minutes they had lost key players Joe Wheeler, Martin Campbell, Simon Muir, Ryan Pigou and Ethan Gleeson to injuries up against a Waitohi team which played much better in the second half.

First-five Daniel Hawkins carried over his goal-kicking form from last week's Marlborough match, slotting seven from seven attempts, adding the icing on the cake of five team tries.

Good forward play by Waitohi resulted in tries to No8 Manu Mataele and flanker Daniel Karena as the home side dominated the forward exchanges.

Harlequins competed well in the first half, with George Millar scoring a superb try breaking out of defence, and Greg Marfell also touched down following an impressive lead-up.

Waitohi coach Murray Burgess singled out his hooker Kieran Gaudin for an outstanding all-round match and right up with him was lock Rory Wright.

Hayden Woolley was a constant attacking threat at fullback and midfielder Scott Ivamy produced some good touches.

For Harlequins, Millar, halfback Daniel MacDonald and centre Willie Tau'alupe shone in the backs and Wheeler was a standout up front until leaving the field injured in the second half and flanker Joel Logan worked tirelessly.

Awatere 53 Kaikoura 12 Awatere's impressive form surge continued at Takahanga Domain, where they outclassed a Kaikoura team still struggling to mount an effective defence.

Ahead 24-6 at halftime, the Tussock Jumpers pulled away in the second half, first-five Glenn Blackmore the individual star with three tries.

Awatere's backs were the shining lights, capitalising on a solid forward platform although Kaikoura's forwards were more than competitive.

Blackmore, David Pope and Paul Murphy in midfield and winger Nick Pope all shone in the Awatere backline.

Skipper Paul Hickman led Awatere's forwards by example scoring two tries, with prop Kurt Lindsay also bagging one in another fine performance.

Coaches Chris Ryan and Steve Crockett were pleased their team finished strongly and were particularly happy with the backs' performance.

Locks Matthew Crockett and Hamish Blackwell worked hard in the tight and second-half replacement Lenny Basham had a lively game.

For Kaikoura, No8 Dwayne Timms was outstanding, scoring a first-half try with impressive first-five Simon Chick touching down in the second half.

Phil Guthrie, Scott Ford and Andrew Zuppercich were standouts in a competitive Kaikoura pack, but, as coach Barry Hansen lamented at the end, poor defence once again cost his team dearly.

There are now just two round-robin matches left before the qualifying rounds start on July 3.

Points are carried over and then there are virtually three more round-robin matches before the four semifinalists are found.

The key match-up this weekend is at Seddon, where the in-form Awatere host the out-of-sorts Central at Car Horn Valley.