Blues shift up a gear to take sub-union title

PETER JONES

peter@topsouthmedia.co.nz

The Central premier rugby side issued a reminder to both their local rivals and forthcoming Nelson-based opponents that they are back in business in 2023. On Saturday afternoon they maintained their firm grip on the Marlborough sub union crown at a sun-drenched Lansdowne Park.

The defending MRU champs reproduced some of the form that propelled them to the Tasman Trophy title in 2022, dismantling Waitohi 38-5 with a clinical display both back and forward.

Leading just 12-0 at halftime after tries to No 8 Peni Fihaki, in his first appearance of the season, and winger Dave Fotu, the Blues upped the ante after the break, scoring more four tries and allowing their rivals just one consolation effort, scored late in the match by halfback Bray Taumoefolau.

It was a tough day for the Tohis who were unable to create any consistent pressure on the Blues defence, either though field position or continuous possession. With Central’s scrum in charge for much of the encounter, forcing several tightheads, Waitohi’s attacking platform was inconsistent, not helped by a lack of composure on the ball.

This, coupled with a well-organised and aggressive Central defence, meant the Tohis were often struggling to clear the ball out of their zone rather than creating meaningful attack.

Central opened the scoring after 11 minutes, Fihaki powering over from a 5m scrum after a series of attacking raids and the seemingly-inevitable string of penalties.

The home side scored just one other try in the first 40, winger Fotu diving over in the corner after another attacking foray down the right side. Any hopes Waitohi had of bouncing back into the game straight after oranges was snuffed out four minutes after the restart. A period of close-range attack saw centre Nigel Satherley burst over, Mitch Smith adding his second conversion to give Central a handy 19-0 lead.

Despite the sin-binning of Blues’ loosie Braden Stewart, making his return off the bench after an injury, Waitohi struggled to take advantage and it was Central who scored next. Almost inevitably it was their talismanic hooker Quentin MacDonald who bagged a five-pointed off the back of a close-range lineout drive. Four minutes later, they were in again, impressive winger Lani Fihaki

Sport News In Brief

Hockey One

The winter hockey season begins in earnest this week. The Year 7/8 competition kicks off on Wednesday from 3.45pm, then the college grade on Thursday at 3.45pm, followed by the senior division one competition at 6pm and 7.30pm. Then Friday 7.30pm is the mens premier grade. The following week, from Monday May 8, all other junior hockey starts. The Marlborough under-18 boys and girls reps play Nelson for the Stirling & Dodson Cups (which Nelson currently hold) in Blenheim on Sunday May 14, followed by trials for Tasman Districts under-18 teams. Both a men’s and women’s side will compete in the Tasman Cup competition against Nelson club teams, home and away. The draw has yet to be finalised.

Busy Time For Gymnasts

Both local and visiting gymnasts will be in action on May 12-14 when the annual Schools Festival and Marlborough Championships will be staged at Marlborough Lines Stadium. Friday’s Schools Festival will feature a large number of school children who have spent a full term training for the event. On Saturday and Sunday, the Marlborough champs will involve well over 300 competitors from throughout the South Island. There is a door entry fee for the champs. The Schools’ Festival will run from 9.30am to 11.30am in the morning and from 12 noon to 2pm in the afternoon. The champs will run on Saturday from 8am to 7pm and on Sunday from 8am to 3pm.

Ladies In Charge

slicing through from 20 out.

Taumoefolau’s try then gave the vocal Waitohi support something to cheer about, before Lani Fihaki completed a double with a superbly-crafted effort on the back of a MacDonald grubber kick. Smith’s fourth conversion wrapped it up as the Blues emptied their bench.

MacDonald said that, despite it still being very early in the season, one of their goals was ticked off.

“It’s weird to win a final just three weeks into the season but we will gladly accept the silverware, take some confidence out of today and rip into the Tasman Trophy in a couple of weeks.

“We are pretty happy with [the performance], it was good to blood the new boys that have come in and good for the team overall to get the likes of Peni and Braden back.

“We have a good mix of players this year but it like last year, we have just got to keep getting better each week.”

There were plenty of top performers for the Blues, prop Jeremy Foley against leading the way up front, lock Matt McCormick controlling the engine room, Peni and Lani Fikaki offering power and elusiveness, midfielder Ben Filipo leading the line on defence, Smith controlling proceedings with his educated left boot and Jake Cresswell secure at fullback.

Replacements Jaydn Holdaway, at loose forward, and halfback Jack Kelly were others to shine.

Waitohi player/coach Tim O’Malley, ruled out of the match with a head knock sustained earlier in the season, said Central were too strong on the day.

“All the same issues we had against them a few weeks ago were there today … the only way we were going to be competitive was to win our set pieces and we struggled there again. But they are a good team across the park and they were just too good for us – across the park.”

Best of the gritty Tohis outfit were hooker Toby McLeod, lock Dylan Burns, skipper Taine Cragg-Love and No 8 Campbell Hart, Taumoefolau, centre Sio Moa, winger Gannon Karena and fullback Patrick Smith-Kerr.

Scores: Central 38 (Peni Fihaki, Quentin MacDonald, Nigel Satherley, Lani Fihaki 2, Dave Fotu tries, Mitch Smith 4 con) Waitohi 5 (Bray Taumoefolau try).

HT: 12-0.

In Marlborough division two action, Waitohi beat Pelorus 33-12, Central edged out Harlequins 32-24 and Renwick defeated Awatere 33-19.

In the Tasman Trophy women’s competition, Marist accounted for Wairau Wāhine 55-22 at Awarua Park, while Kahurangi beat Waimea Old Boys 29-7 in Nelson. This game was called off at halftime after Waimea suffered four injuries in the first 40.

In the Wairau game, their tries were scored by Fiaali’i Solomona (2), Ryhan Nadji and Niska Scott. Standout players were Hannah Gillespie, Jo and Di Huntley, Scott and Aimee Harnett.

A strong turnout of indoor bowlers competed in the Pratt Cup (Lady Skip) event at Simcox Stadium last weekend with four qualifiers emerging for post-section play. Judith and John Symington, Allison Rouse and Vanessa Wall beat Judith Hyndman, Rex Howard, Graeme Smitheram and John Lawrence 12-4 in the final.

The NZ Masters Fours tournament was held on Saturday. The winners were Lois Randall, Tony Jones, Graeme Smitheram and Debbie Wearing with 7 points, in a close finish over runners up Kevin Wills, Kath Gilchrist, Tony Clark and Betty Schofield on 6 points. The winners qualified for the zone final in Nelson on Sunday, July 2. Two Marlborough teams have been chosen to travel to Motueka to play the McNabb Challenge against Golden Bay/Motueka in singles, pairs and fours over six rounds. McNabb A teamLois Randall, Nathan Della Bosca, Steven Grant, Tony Hitchcock, Tony Jones, Kiri Bond, Debbie Wearing and Daniel Henson. McNabb B team - Kevin Wills, Judi and John Symington, Glen and Jill Hurcomb, Julian Adams, Kate Newport and Graeme Smitheram. Reserve and managerBruce Hitchcock.

Table Tennis Underway

The first night of competitive table tennis took place on Thursday, with the annual Pipe-Opener Tournament being held. Thirty-four players took part, ranging in age from 9 to 80. Club captain Alex Kennedy won the tournament by beating Michael Kamson in the final 11-8, 11-5, 13-11. Alex reached the final with a four-set win over Nathan Cross, while Michael beat Matt Millar to make the decider. The quarter finalists were Graeme Jackson , Josh Sim, Jason Kennedy and Billy Hebberd. Interclub competition starts on Thursday.