Buccaneers progress to main Chatham Cup draw

Central Buccaneers sailed into the first round of NZ Football’s Chatham Cup competition with a comprehensive victory over Wakefield at A&P Park on Saturday.

The Buccaneers downed their Nelson-based rivals 6-0 in the nationwide competition’s preliminary round to earn a place in the main draw.

Wakefield, a Nelson division two side, began strongly, testing Central’s resolve before an own goal after 25 minutes put the home side ahead and proved a turning point. Midfielder Jono Masters scored Central’s second soon af- ter, then the prolific Ben Shallcrass put them ahead 3-0 at the break.

The Buccaneers added another three goals after halftime, Joel Collingwood and Thom Hall getting on the scoresheet, before striker Shallcrass topped off a player-of-the-day performance with his second.

Jono said the final scoreline flattered his side somewhat, Wakefield making them work hard for their success. He had special praise for the Buccaneers’ back four of Tom Morley, Freddie Kennedy, Jake Arnesen and Jacob Boon who ensured keeper Liam Kennedy had a quiet afternoon. Buccaneers have made a strong start to the season, scoring 13 goals and conceding none. They beat BV Masters 5-0 on the previous Saturday, then accounted for clubmates Central Wolves 2-0 in a midweek Marlborough division one fixture.

Jono, who described his side as “well rounded and a solid unit” said they expected to be drawn against a Nelson side in the first round, probably Suburbs or FC Nelson.

There was disappointment for

Rangers AFC on Saturday, their Nelson division one match scheduled for A&P Park not going ahead after their opponents, FC Nelson Locomotive defaulted.

Rangers’ player/coach Tore Waechter said his side had been looking forward to getting in some invaluable match fitness in the early stages of what is expected to be a testing schedule.

In division one action, just two games were played, the Central clubs having met midweek. Call Care Trojans defeated Picton Wildcats 3-0 while BV Masters beat Rangers Woodbourne by the same score.

Four games were played in division two, Rangers City defeating Call Care Red 3-1, Rangers Masters beating Trojans Marlb Men 5-1, Call Care Spartans downing Picton Crow Tavern 3-2 and Central Privateers getting the better of Rangers Reserves 3-1.

MBC First XV keen to ‘hit the ground running’

Peter Jones

With kick off in the 2023 Miles Toyota Championship just three weeks away, the Marlborough Boys’ College First XV are taking all the opportunities they can to get in some valuable match practice.

On Tuesday they hosted Marist College from Canberra, who are on a NZ tour, as one of a series of pre-season games designed to hone combinations and skills before the Falcons’ campaign kicks off in earnest on May 12.

Head coach Tonga Taumoefolau said the annual First XV competition had been revamped for 2023, the number of round-robin matches to be played reduced from 13 to nine. The competition has been split into premiership and championship sections, with 10 teams participating in each. Promotion/relegation will take place at the end of the season.

With their season shortened, the MBC management felt it was important to get in as many pre-season games as they could.

So far they have had a run out against Waimea College, the Prebbleton under-20 side, plus the Aussie visitors, who they narrowly lost to 27-18.

“With a shorter season we decided to put in an extra pre-season game so we are hitting the ground running when we start our campaign,” he explained.

MBC play Christ’s College in Kaikoura, then Rangiora in their final warm-up encounters.

Tonga has a much-changed side to work with this year, but sees plenty of positives in that.

“We have only got eight players coming back from last season, so this is a total rebuild year for us. We have a lot of young, enthusiastic players coming through which is awesome and adds to the exciting environment at First XV level.”

Their first MTC match is a home match against Shirley on May 12, followed by another home fixture, against St Andrew’s on May 20. Their other home dates are against Christ’s (June 17) and Christchurch BHS (July 22).

MBC play away matches against traditional rivals Nelson College, St Thomas of Canterbury, St Bede’s College, Selwyn Combined plus Timaru Boys’ High School away before the finals in late July.

The 2023 MBC First XV squad: Tafa Asiata-Tusani, Jack Burdon, Will Flynn, Jake Gane, Jordyn Gardiner, Ben Gibbons, Thomas Large, Te Kore Manawatu, Luke Martella, Finn McKenzie, Toby McLay-Davis, Finn Neal, Rico Nicklin, Vancouver Sio, Ben Sziranyi, John Vakaloa, Carter Aitken, Axell Allan, Ben Blackmore, Harry King, Leo Marfell, Joshua McLeod, Koloa Moala-Fotu, Ata Obetaia, Tim Petrie, Hugh Robinson, Cohen Stewart. Coaches: Tonga Taumoefolau, Pete Flynn, Tui Raeli. Strength and conditioning coach Buxton Popoali’I. Managers: Jared Morris and Matt Large.

Antony Clark

Paul O’Donnell

Richie Marsden

Rod Thompson

Terry Duff

Simon Muir Matt Ryan

Peter Jones

Greg Somerville

Jayden MacDonald

Brad Taylor

Glenn Kirby

David Sutherland

Michael Winkler

Terry Renner

Chris Goodyer

Mike Newman

Jamie Norton

Rob Hellstrom

Susan Barron

Warren Cairns