Tasman Makos: News

Nelson Club Rugby update - 22 June
22-Jun-2009

By WAYNE MARTIN - The Nelson Mail

The battle lines are drawn.

Marist moved into second place while Stoke dropped to fourth in Saturday's final shakedown for next week's Car Company Nelson Bays division one rugby semifinals.

Car Company Nelson were always assured of top billing and confirmed it with their sizeable, if hard-earned, 41-19 win over New World Huia at Trafalgar Park. But Enza Riwaka knocked Accessman Stoke out of second place with a frantic 12-10 win at Cooks Reserve the match-winning try coming in the dying stages, when midfielder Robbie Flynn showed his pace to beat a scrambling Stoke defence.

Wakatu Hotel Marist eventually ground down a Stables Waimea Old Boys side reduced to 13 players over the final 10 minutes, with only a late try to impressive new No8 Dan Creighton sealing Marist's bonus-point victory.

It means that Nelson will play Stoke and Marist will meet Riwaka in next week's playoffs, with Riwaka's win giving them the edge over Stoke after both finished equal on points.

Waimea had held a deserved 15-12 lead at halftime after some aggressive Waimea defence and errant Marist ball handling, involving numerous turnovers, saw Waimea take most of the first-half accolades in a physical encounter at Tahunanui.

Although Marist opened the scoring when winger Afeleki Pelenise used his power and pace near the line to give his team an early 7-0 lead, a strong Waimea fightback had Marist struggling to achieve any cohesion.

Tries to midfielder Adam Mytton, from a clever chip and chase, and first five-eighth Billy Guyton, after he'd dispossessed Marist fullback Nick Bright in a tackle 70m out, gradually took Waimea to a 15-7 lead. A try to lock Steve Jackson on halftime enabled Marist to slice into Waimea's lead.

But it wasn't until 15 minutes from time that Marist were finally able to regain the lead when flanker Mark Bright combined effectively with Creighton to score after the big No8 had split Waimea's defence near halfway.

It was a significant breach, as Waimea's stifling defence had been a feature of the match, constantly dragging down Marist's runners and getting effective numbers to the breakdowns.

The intensity resulted in an all-in sideline brawl just 10 minutes into the second half, with Nick Bright shown a yellow card. But with Waimea losing two players during the final 10 minutes for persistent infringements, the numbers were ultimately stacked in Marist's favour, which Creighton duly exploited with the game's final try.

Nelson 41 Huia 19

Nelson might have lacked their usual intensity, although Huia produced a spirited effort throughout, and it wasn't until the final 10 minutes that Nelson were finally able to achieve some breathing space.

Ad Feedback Huia led 14-0 early on after tries to flanker Kenny Eggers and first five-eighth Edwin Ainley, before Nelson finally kicked into gear to take a 24-19 lead at the break.

Fullback Matt Jackett, hooker Danny Gover, flanker Shane Grieve and lock Dan Hyatt scored Nelson's first-half tries, while a miscued attempted chip kick by Nelson first five-eighth James Marshall enabled winger Loti Niue to score Huia's third. Late tries to substitute fullback Robbie Malneek, in his first club outing this season, Jackett and No8 Rob Gaitau gave Nelson the security they needed to finally quell Huia's committed effort.

The scoreline did little justice to Huia's contribution to the contest, particularly after they lost key lineout forward Jared Aberhart with a broken jaw early in the game when he attempted to tackle Gaitau.

For all Huia's efforts, Nelson still showed enough quality and individual flair, through the likes of Jackett, to run in seven tries. Jackett was the standout in an otherwise ineffective Nelson backline effort as Huia continued to apply defensive pressure.

Loosehead prop Tevita Tangatavaha impressed in Nelson's forward effort along with Gaitau and Grieve, two of Nelson's more constructive performers.

Ryan Brodie, Ofa Topeni, Louis Peti and Steve Gribbon made huge contributions to Huia's feisty and competitive forward effort.

Riwaka 12 Stoke 10

Robbie Flynn produced the matchwinning try that helped to push Riwaka into third place and a date with Marist in next week's semifinals.

But Flynn's efforts produced one of few highlights in an error-filled match as Stoke struggled to make any advances, despite a useful share of possession. Stoke's goalkicking was also off target as halfback Shaun Begg and first five-eighth Kris McNicholl missed all their shared attempts at goal.

Riwaka first five-eighth David O'Hagan kicked the one that mattered, though, landing the clincher to Flynn's final try and leaving Stoke to lament a day of missed opportunities.

Riwaka's strong defensive effort didn't help Stoke's cause, although Stoke still appeared to have done enough for victory when they led 10-5 with just two minutes remaining. Stoke winger Maki Fonotai and influential Riwaka fullback Derek Arnold had traded first-half tries, leaving McNicholl to score Stoke's go-ahead try and potential matchwinner.

Injured for much of the season, Flynn ultimately revealed his pace to beat Stoke's defence and at least help Riwaka head into the playoffs in a positive frame of mind.

Riwaka flanker Jonathan Poff was a key figure in denying Stoke possession at the breakdowns, and lock Enoke Vosaicake was also in the thick of the action until he left the field with a second-half injury. Poff got excellent support from Kent Chapman and Hana Corbett-Burrows.

Lively flanker Tevita Koloamatangi featured for Stoke in a forward effort that otherwise lacked cohesion.

Stoke's backs also struggled for any fluency, although Begg produced his usual energetic display at halfback.