Marist wins Nelson sub union title in dramatic fashion

Marist may have left it late on Saturday, but it claimed The Car Company Nelson Bays Division One sub-union club rugby title on Saturday scoring on the final play of the game to snatch the first trophy of the season.

Covid wrecked havoc on player availability for Saturday’s final sub-union round, meaning only one of the three scheduled Nelson fixtures was played. Marist left it until the final play to claim a 24-21 win over a gallant Wanderers side.

Marist coach Shawn Begg was very satisfied with the way his side stuck to its systems through the 80-plus minutes.

“We knew Wanderers would be up for it and they were but I’m really proud of the boys for keeping the faith. We didn’t panic and I guess that’s developed over the last few years with winning. Everyone stayed on task and we got the result,” Begg said.

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Amanaki Saumaki scored twice within five minutes early in the second half to give Wanderers a 21-10 lead which they held until the final ten minutes.

But the tenacious defence which had served Wanderers so well over the first 70 minutes started to drop off and Marist took advantage, finishing the stronger of the two sides with two late converted tries to Manase Taufa and then the game-winner to Apitanga Sami on the game’s final play.

Marist’s forward pack was outstanding all afternoon while Roko Onolevu provided some real power off the bench with Begg also singling out the control from both halfbacks, Cleveland Barrell and Wil Thornalley as being key to the victory.

Marist now enjoy a first round bye for the start of this weekend’s Stuff Tasman Trophy which has come at a good time for Begg.

“It means we can celebrate and enjoy what we’ve achieved, freshen up and then start thinking about our next goal from next week,” he said.

Meanwhile in Marlborough, Central overcame an early red card to claim victory at Lansdowne Park on Saturday, defeating Renwick 27-5.

Central coach Quentin MacDonald said his team was just happy to get back on the field, not having played for three weeks.

“We made it hard for ourselves with our ill-discipline and some of our execution let us down but we played at the right end of the park and we had 66% of the possession so there were some good things in there and we can take confidence into the Tasman trophy next weekend,” MacDonald said.

Ben Filipo had another strong game in midfield while Peni Fihaki turned in another dominant performance at Number Eight. Central has also been buoyed by the return of Braden Stewart who made his return a year to the day of last season’s serious shoulder injury while former Mako Vernon Fredericks also marked his return to the playing ranks, four years after his shoulder forced him into premature retirement.

MacDonald is delighted to add class and depth to his side as Central brace for an early Tasman Trophy test against Wanderers at Lansdowne Park this weekend.

Elsewhere, Kahurangi won by default over Stoke to lock up second place behind Marist while the clash between Waimea Old Boys and Nelson was also cancelled.

In Division Two action Marist, Riwaka, Stoke, Waimea Old Boys and Wanderers all banked wins in the second round of Nelson Bays’ games with Marlborough Boys, Waitohi, Moutere and Central doing the same in Marlborough.

POINTS TABLES:

THE CAR COMPANY DIVISION 1 NELSON – FINAL STANDINGS: Marist 23, Kahurangi 21, Wanderers 13, Stoke 7, Nelson 4, Waimea Old Boys 3.

MOTORWORLD DIVISION 1 MARLBOROUGH – POINTS CARRIED OVER TO END OF THE SEASON: Central 10, Renwick 5, Waitohi 2.

DIVISION 2 NELSON BAYS: Stoke 10, Marist 10, Riwaka 10, Wanderers 9, Waimea Old Boys 5, Waimea Old Boys Colts 5, Collingwood 1, Huia 0, Takaka 0, Tapawera 0, Nelson 0.

DIVISION 2 MARLBOROUGH: Waitohi 9, Moutere 7, Central 7, Marlborough Boys College 7, Awatere 5, Renwick 2, Pelorus 0, Harlequins 0.