Tasman Makos: News

Renwick sniff Marlborough Semis
12-Jul-2010

Marlborough Express - JOHN ALEXANDER
Harcourts Renwick have one foot in the door of semifinal rugby after their upset 7-0 win over Moutere at Awarua Park in Saturday's round of the Wadsco Marlborough premier club rugby competition.

The rugby might not have been flash, but the result certainly was for a tenacious Green Machine team that is now two points in front of Vinepower Awatere in the race to secure the fourth semifinal position. Awatere's two bonus points against Harlequins may yet prove crucial.

Awatere slumped to their second successive loss and a rare one at home in Seddon to a resurgent Harlequins 28-35 in an action-packed encounter during which Quins first-five Martin Campbell contributed 20 points.

In Picton, Crafar Crouch Waitohi came off two successive byes to thump Kaikoura 78-0.

In this Saturday's final round of matches before the semifinals, the key clashes involve Renwick and Awatere. Renwick play bottom-placed Kaikoura in Kaikoura, not an easy task, while Awatere have an even tougher assignment, taking on Biddy Kates Central.

Renwick 7 Moutere 0

This wasn't a flash game of rugby as far as players performing the basics well, but Renwick certainly deserved their win and the respective team performances probably mirrored what the result meant to each of them.

The Green Machine were in must-win knockout mode and played accordingly, with more urgency and desire both on attack and especially on defence for periods of the second half, when Moutere mounted sustained pressure. Neither team created many try-scoring opportunities until prop Ryan Holdaway crashed over near halftime. Renwick exerted pressure on Moutere's backs, the ball was spilt, and Renwick swooped and scored.

For the first 40 minutes, Renwick controlled the majority of play. Their scrum was superior, anchored by hardworking props Holdaway and Hayden Swain, with hooker Ryan McQuillan his usual bustling self in the close-quarter exchanges. Renwick's forwards were also good at tying Moutere's ball up and forcing turnovers, which meant the home side were unable to exert any sustained pressure.

A halftime rark-up from coach Dave McCormick had the desired effect, Moutere playing better in the second half, but they still made far too many errors, especially in the backs, to win the match and Greg Blick's goal-kicking radar was unusually off target.

Flanker Troy Wilmshurst was a ball of energy for Renwick and his performance typified the visitors' approach. Flanker Hayden Marfell was outstanding in defence. Midfielder Julius Bradley also had a fine game.

Moutere will need to find a lot more than they showed on Saturday if they are to be serious title-winning contenders. Skipper and lock Stu Campbell worked tirelessly, No8 Danny Pauw made several strong runs, but the backs were generally poor, with the exception of Blick, the first-five getting through a tower of work on defence as well as providing their only real spark in attack.

Harlequins 35 Awatere 28

The wheels wobbled on Awatere's quest for a semifinal place as they slumped to their second successive defeat to a fired-up and committed Harlequins at Car Horn Valley in Seddon.

Whilst Awatere certainly had the forward grunt, it was the classy Harlequins backs who stole the show. George Millar was brilliant at centre and later on the wing, running in three tries against his old club, pace the key ingredient. Inside him at first-five, Martin Campbell had his best game of the season, running the show expertly and contributing 20 points, including a fine try.

Halfback Daniel MacDonald, another former Awatere player, maintained his good form with another lively display and Fo'ou Tiueti was a wrecking ball in midfield on attack and defence.

The Harlequins forwards struggled to contain Awatere, especially in the second half, but their defence won them the match in the end. Leading the way were lock Brodie Logan and flanker Ethan Gleeson, the latter taken away by ambulance near the end of the match. Harlequins manager Greg Newman said he seemed to be OK and the ambulance was more a precautionary measure.

Newman said the Quins' performance was definitely their best of the season. "A lot of heart shown. Marty [Campbell] and George [Millar] proved they are quality players."

Awatere coach Chris Ryan had no excuse. His team trailed 7-20 at halftime and he admitted to being frustrated by their inability to finish. Several times, Awatere were held up over the Harlequins goal-line without being awarded tries.

The Tussock Jumpers did come back strongly in the second half and when Keiran Hickman scored his second try, they trailed by just two points with three minutes to play. However, Harlequins swooped on an Awatere handling error and scored down the other end to seal a deserved win.

Hickman shone with some strong running in midfield and his cousin and captain, Paul Hickman, was outstanding at No8.

Flanker Sean Crockett had a lively game.

Waitohi 78 Kaikoura 0

Kaikoura gave Waitohi plenty of grief in the first half, but for the second 40 minutes, Waitohi stepped up the tempo, playing with more accuracy and intensity. Kaikoura's defence was unable to cope.

It was a good hit-out for the Tohis, coming off two successive byes, and running in 12 tries showed just how much firepower they have, even without Makos first-five Daniel Hawkins. Michael Hillgrove stepped into his position successfully, running in a try, kicking eight conversions and generally directing the backs astutely.

Winger Hayden Gaudin had a productive day, scoring four tries after a lot of good teamwork. No8 Manu Mataele made several strong runs in the first half and others to shine in the winning team were Daniel Karena and Matthew Burgess, along with halfback James Giles.

Coach Murray Burgess was happy enough with the performance. "We knuckled down in the second half and scored 54 points. Good team tries most of them. The second half put us back on track but, to be fair, Kaikoura dropped off a bit."

For Kaikoura, Scott Ford, Andrew Zuppercich and Craig Armstrong played with plenty of heart and effort up front, and in the backs, Tom Meuli at second-five, halfback Tom Bell and first-five Jason Ruawai were the pick.

RUGBY WRAP Results: Renwick 7 (Ryan Holdaway try, Amco Cassidy con) Moutere 0. Halftime: Renwick 7-0. Harlequins 35 (George Millar 3, Martin Campbell tries, Campbell 3 con, 3 pen) Awatere 28 (Keiran Hickman 2, Sean Crockett, Hamish Murray tries, Paul Murphy 4 con). Halftime: Harlequins 20-7. Waitohi 78 (Hayden Gaudin 4, Kieran Gaudin, Troy Looms, Nathan Peipi, William Karena, Michael Hillgrove, Scott Ivamy, Hayden Woolley, Manu Mataele tries, Hillgrove 8 con, Hepe Beech con) Kaikoura 0. Halftime: Waitohi 24-0. Standings: PWLDB/PFAPts Waitohi1311201047816759 Central141040838721148 Moutere14950832822144 Renwick14770530426433 Awatere14680726628231 Harlequins14590729531827 Kaikoura14113021466416