Player depth tested in 2nd round of Stuff Tasman Trophy

Renwick, Marist and Wanderers all banked wins in Saturday’s second round of Stuff Tasman Trophy club rugby fixtures as player unavailability continues to be a large factor early in the competition.

After enjoying a first-round bye, an under-strength Marist were pushed all the way by Stoke at Trafalgar Park, digging deep into its playing stocks to maintain its undefeated record on the season with a gutsy 21-19 victory.

Coach Shawn Begg said his side had twelve players unavailable for selection but was delighted with the way his side stepped up after a very challenging week to retain the Baz Leary Cup.

“It seemed like every day last week there was a call from a player with Covid, but every team is facing this situation. All you can do is do the best you can, and the boys went out and got the job done,” Begg said.

Marist’s win was built of defence with Te Puoho Stephens leading the way from the side of the scrum along with Liam Boshoff in his first start in midfield and Ben Lefale at loosehead prop.

Marist hit the road this weekend to take on Renwick who made it two wins from two with a gutsy 22-16 result over a plucky Waitohi side at Endeavour Field on Saturday. Renwick outscored Waitohi three tries to one but could not break clear until Atu Taufa crossed minutes before full time to give Renwick some breathing space.

Coach Tii Paulo was happy to take the result but was under no illusions that his side had got away with one on Saturday.

“Talking to a few people after the game and we are all hoping we haven’t used up all our good luck with that one. We bombed a lot of opportunities and out ill-discipline kept them in the game. Waitohi got stuck into us as we knew they would, but we were able to come back towards the end and get a result,” Paulo said.

Kurt Schollum played a key role, changing the game when he came off the bench at the 60-minute mark while Cody Weir was also key in his 50^th game for the club. Vincent Liardet-Smith, Will MacKenzie and Daniel Jones also featured prominently up front.

At Jublilee Park, Wanderers finished over the top of Waimea Old-Boys in the second half to run away with a 43-15 victory. A tight first half saw Wanderers take a two-point lead into half time but after the break they proved too good for a tiring opponent, scoring five tries on the way to a bounce-back victory.

Coach Ethan Reuben who also pulled the boots on due to front row injuries paid tribute to the way his side responded in the second half.

“Waimea Old Boys is a side you never really get on top of, and they had all the momentum and the ball in the first half. At halftime we spoke about getting our season back on track and when we slowed the game down to our pace and played with more purpose, we looked good,” Reuben said.

The coach also singled out veterans Steve Soper and William Hamilton who both brought up 100 senior games for the club while winger James Holland combined well with Jack Gray and Tama Nicholson in the Wanderers’ backline.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Moutere turned around last week’s fifty-point loss in the Stuff Women’s Tasman Trophy to defeat Kahurangi 34-27 while Waimea Old-Boys Women turned in an impressive effort beating Marist 32-12.

In Division Two action Tapawera, Stoke, Wanderers and Riwaka all claimed wins in The Car Company Nelson Bays competition while Waitohi, Awatere and Marlborough Boys College chalked up victory in Saturday’s Motorworld Marlborough games.

POINTS TABLES:

Stuff Tasman Trophy Men: Renwick 9, Stoke 6, Central 5, Kahurangi 5, Wanderers 5, Marist 4, Waitohi 1, Waimea Old Boys 1, Nelson 0.

Stuff Tasman Trophy Women: Waimea Old Boys 10, Marist 5, Moutere 5, Kahurangi 4.

The Car Company Nelson Bays Division 2: Stoke 20, Riwaka 17, Marist 15, Wanderers 13, Waimea Old Boys Colts 7, Huia 5, Waimea Old Boys 5, Takaka 5, Tapawera 4, Collingwood 1, Nelson 1.

Motorworld Marlborough Division 2: Waitohi 17, Awatere 14, Central 12, Marlborough Boys College 12, Moutere 8, Pelorus 5, Renwick 2, Harlequins 0.

Article added: Monday 16 May 2022