Nelson and Waimea Old Boys have established themselves as early front-runners in the NPD Tasman Trophy after each registered their second win of the season on Saturday.
Stoke were making their first appearance at their home ground after spending last season at Nayland College.
It wasn’t a happy homecoming however, as Nelson ran in six tries to take maximum points from their 40-20 victory over Stoke.
Willy Havili again was all class for Nelson with his sharp distribution and accurate kicking bagging 20 points for the match, while Epa Alio was a constant threat out wide.
Nelson took home the Ramsey/Cowman Cup and the Robbie Dawson Cup and remain at the top of the Tasman Trophy table.
At Cooks Reserve, Waimea Old Boys beat Kahurangi 37-10.
Waimea winger Erenimo Tau was electric for Waimea, scoring his second consecutive brace.
In other Tasman Trophy results, Marist defeated Wanderers 40-14 at Tahunanui.
Marist manager Jono Mounsey says it was a great win for his men after a heartbreaking one-point loss in the opening round.
Fly halves Taine Robinson and Max Nalder both made their debuts for the club.
“Taine took over the kicking duties and didn’t look out of place at all for an 18-year-old playing senior footy.
Other standouts for the hosts were Matty Stevenson and Jacob Norris.
“Jacob comes to us from Hamilton Boys and is filling in a big hole from departing Highlander Shannon Frizell.”
James Hawkey was devastating in the midfield, crashing over the chalk twice.
Moutere and Renwick continued their winning ways in backing up their victorious first round efforts.
Moutere claimed a 14-12 victory at Awarua Park over East Coast, who had a first round bye, while Renwick overcame a fast-finishing Central 31-28 at Lansdowne Park.
Both games were all locked up at halftime.
The Coasters’ best were No 8 Jack Roberton, skipper Seymour Lambert, hooker/loose forward Billy Collins, Max Freydell and Sam Westenra.
Meanwhile, on Lansdowne Park No 6, a second half penalty to Kurt Schollum provided the final difference on the scoreboard.
Both sides traded converted tries in the second spell, before Renwick pushed out to a 31-21 lead.
A late converted touchdown to veteran Robbie Malneek earned the Blues a bonus point but they came up short of a much-needed win.
Best of the Green Machine were tryscorers Vaeno Bennett, and hard-working forwards Josh Holdaway and replacement Matt Paterson.
Central rookies Peter Vakaloa at prop and hooker Sione Lonitonesi stood out for the home side.
Nelson, Waimea and Renwick now sit at the top of the NPD Tasman Trophy table with 10 points each, Nelson with an impressive 67-point differential after two rounds.
Wanderers, Waitohi and East Coast have yet to register a win.
NPD Tasman Trophy Round 2 results:
Nelson 40 (Willy Havili 2, Willis Scott, Navarre Harbour, Epa Alio, Isaiah Miller tries, Willy Havili 2 cons, 2 pens). Stoke 20 (Blair Prinsep, Andy Burnett, Tomas Aoake tries; Jack Grooby con, pen)
Marist 40 (James Hawkey 2, Te Puoho Stephens, Isaac Laga, Matt Stevenson, Sam Briggs tries; Hawkey pen, Taine Robinson 2 con, pen). Wanderers 14 (Dan Maclaughlin, Vili Fotofili tries; Fotofili con, Jayden Woolley con)
Waimea Old Boys 37 (Erenimo Tau 2, Kaiser Whiting, Jeff Lepa, Chris Mason tries; Billy Guyton 3 con, 2 pen). Kahurangi 10 (Miro Mitchell try; Aaron Coe con, pen)
Moutere 14 (Vernon Fredericks, Ben Finau tries; Max Freydell 2 cons). East Coast 12 (Michael Ryan, Sam Westenra tries; Heath Forsyth con)
Renwick 31 (Michael Vaeno 2, Brian Bennett 2 tries, Bennett con, Kurt Schollum 3 con, pen). Central 28 (Robbie Malneek 2, Dusty Foley, Chris Goodger tries, Mitch Smith 4 con).