Marist winger Isaac Laga makes a break during his sides 31-24 loss to Waimea at Jubilee Park on Saturday. Photo: Chris Symes/ Shuttersport.

Stoke pick up first win, Nelson still dominate

0
1658

Nelson remain unbeaten in the NPD Tasman Trophy after another comfortable 59-10 victory over Kahurangi on Saturday.

The competition leaders ran in nine tries in a dominant display, posting a half century for the second consecutive week.

Willy Havili’s stock continues to rise, scoring his second double of the season and slotting eight conversions to contribute 24 points, while number 8 Isiah Miller scored his fifth try of the season.

Waimea Old Boys have also gone three from three to start the season after they defeated Marist 31-24 in a close contest at Jubilee Park.

Billy Guyton opened the scoring for the hosts with the first of his four penalty goals.

The match featured a battle of the blockbusters out wide in Waimea’s Erenimo Tau, who tops the season try scoring charts, and Marist’s Isaac Laga.

It was the Waimea wing who struck first as Erenimo crashed over in the corner after just five minutes, before James Hawkey busted the Waimea midfield defence wide open and set Laga away for Marists’ first try.

Fly halves Billy Guyton and Taine Robinson traded penalties in a see-sawing affair that saw Marist within seven points with just two minutes to play.

However, a knock on in front of the posts by Marist handed Waimea the win.

Marist captain Tyler McKinnon-Stevenson says a slow start ultimately cost his side the points.

“We wanted to stick it to them today, but it just didn’t go our way.”

Tyler says Marist did not react as well as they should have to the conditions and they will have plenty to work on during the week, especially their scrummaging.

“They are a big issue for us, we got a real lesson today.”

Meanwhile at Brightwater Domain, Stoke registered their first win of the Tasman Trophy on Saturday with a 34-21 win over Wanderers.

Over in Marlborough, Waitohi and East Coast also scored their first victories.

Waitohi, who lost to Renwick in the first round and had the bye in round 2, got up to edge out an unbeaten Moutere side 30-29 in Picton.

East Coast pulled off a major upset, beating Central, who have yet to win a game, 17-15 in Seddon.

Round three results:

Waimea Old Boys 31 (Erenimo Tau, Kaide Whiting, Chris Mason tries; Billy Guyton 4 pen, 3 con) beat Marist 24 (Isaac Laga, Caleb Havili tries; Taine Robinson 4 pen, con).

Nelson 59 (Willy Havili 2, Tima Faingaanuku 2, Willis Scott, Neo Milligan-Richard, Isaiah Miller, Kent Strange, Jackson Harvey tries; Havili 7 con) beat Kahurangi 10 (Jack Kohler try; Aaron Coe con, pen).

Stoke 34 (Hugo Nankivell, Rupena Parkinson, Sione Inisi, Charlie Chambers, Isei Lewaqai tries; Jack Grooby 3 con, pen) beat Wanderers 21 (Ethan Reuben, Jacob Berthelsen, Ducati Morrell-Hopa tries; Jayden Woolley 3 con).

In Marlborough, Waitohi (30) beat Moutere (29) and East Coast (17) beat Central (15).

SHARE
Previous articleWhat a save!
Next articleRower off to world champs

LEAVE A REPLY