Tasman Makos: News

Awatere continue run
28-Jun-2010

JOHN ALEXANDER - Marlborough Express
Vinepower Awatere's outstanding run of form continued in the Wadsco Marlborough premier club rugby competition on Saturday with a convincing 28-3 win over Harcourts Renwick on a sodden turf at Seddon.

Victory was the Tussock Jumpers' fourth in a row, propelling them into fourth place and setting up a replay with Renwick next week when the playoffs begin.

The result continues a remarkable turnaround in fortune for the Chris Ryan and Steve Crockett-coached team, which earlier in the season couldn't win a trick and, one week, were forced to default to Waitohi due to a lack of available players.

Now they are lining up to play and coach Ryan said full musters at trainings on Tuesday and Thursday were one reason for their major turnaround in form.

In other matches, Biddy Kates Central and Moutere retained second and third placings on the points ladder respectively, both returning to form with solid wins.

Central saw off a spirited challenge from Harlequins 35-7 at Lansdowne Park, while Moutere also had to battle hard to beat a plucky Kaikoura 24-5 in shocking, wet, cold conditions at Takahanga Domain in Kaikoura. Only good work from the Kaikoura volunteer fire brigade in pumping a lake of surface water off the northern end of the park allowed the game to be played.

In this Saturday's opening round of three playoff matches, at the end of which the four semifinalists will be decided, competition leaders Waitohi have their second successive bye. Second-placed Central play bottom team Kaikoura, Moutere take on Harlequins and Awatere and Renwick meet again.

Awatere 28 Renwick 3

Attention to basics and a simple game plan were essential ingredients for the Tussock Jumpers in freezing, wet and windy conditions at Car Horn Valley.

Playing with the elements in the first half, Renwick were always going to be struggling, with the scores tied 3-3 at halftime.

The rugby wasn't flash and conditions were not conducive to anything flash but the more the game wore on, the more Awatere warmed to their task.

David Pope opened the scoring with a penalty but the normally reliable goal-kicker missed four other attempts and Renwick replied with a goal of their own through lock Amco Cassidy. He also missed a relatively easy attempt on the stroke of halftime.

Awatere looked the more likely to score in the first half and in the second spell, with the wind and rain at their backs, they hoed into their work, well manoeuvred around the park by halfback Hamish Murray and first-five Glenn Blackmore.

Keiran Hickman scored their first try, latching on to a perfectly weighted Blackmore cross-field kick on the end of superb work by the forwards.

Lively replacement hooker Coel Linnell set up the second try, breaking from a ruck and putting flying centre Paul Murphy over by the posts.

Awatere's forwards by now had dominance, pinning Renwick deep inside their own territory. Kick and chase tactics worked a treat and the forwards lapped up the muddy conditions.

Hulking prop Nicholai Heard is enjoying his best season in premier ranks and twice got in the right position to barge over and score.

Heard, flanker Daniel Crockett, prop Kurt Lindsay and lock Hamish Blackwell led Awatere's dominant forward effort. Winger Keiran Hickman ran strongly and the rest kicked and chased effectively.

For Renwick, who played their hearts out, No8 Ryan McQuillan worked tirelessly, as did flanker Troy Willemshurst, prop Anaru Norton and flanker Hayden Marfell.

The backs had few opportunities, Kyle Marfell at second-five the standout.

Referee Jonathon Archer had a fine game in trying conditions.

Central 35 Harlequins 7

Central got their show back on the road in impressive fashion at Lansdowne Park, although it took a while to break a plucky Harlequins side.

Central applied the pressure throughout much of the game but were unable to convert it into points until later in the second spell.

Crusaders back Kade Poki celebrated his long-awaited return to the playing field after injury with a try and loose forward Reyne Volavola capped off another top performance with a touchdown.

Winger Taylor Wilson impressed, scoring Central's first-half try, while halfback Nick Corkin, a standout player, scored a fine try in the second half and fullback Rawiri Tamati grabbed the other on the back of a scorching run by Onolevu Temo.

Prop Fetu Ieremia touched down for Harlequins in the second half but, led by props John Pale and Jonathan Tiueti, the Blues pack dominated the second half especially.

Temo had his best game of the season in midfield for Central, with flankers Adam Goldsworthy and Francis Roebeck shining as a loose forward trio alongside Volavola.

Harlequins' best were hard-working lock Thomas Cretney and No8 Milton Butler in the forwards.

Halfback Daniel MacDonald was superb in trying conditions under pressure and Fo'ou Tiueti and Martin Campbell were strong in mid-field.

Moutere 24 Kaikoura 5

Shocking conditions greeted players at Takahanga Domain but, to their credit, they turned on a spirited game of rugby. Moutere coach Dave McCormick was particularly pleased with an improved performance.

Hooker/flanker Vernon Fredericks was a dominating force in the match, particularly in the second spell, where his powerful running created havoc. Once a solid platform had been established up front, Moutere spread the ball wide impressively, with winger Jordan Nicholl running in two tries and halfback Curtis McLean capping off a top game with a try.

Flanker Ryan MacDonald and No8 Danny Pauw impressed in Moutere's forward pack and great news for the Magpies was the return to action of talented prop Joe Collins from injury.

Collins played the second half and his running and off-loading skills made a significant contribution.

Kaikoura coach Barry Hansen praised the efforts of his forwards, with veteran lock Karl Perkins a standout along with hooker Andrew Zuppercich, flanker Craig Armstrong, No8 Dwayne Timms and prop Les Hohera.

Hansen said Moutere took their chances well and Kaikoura were guilty again of missing crucial tackles.