Six teams vying for four playoff spots

By Nick Jeffrey [Stuff]

The Men’s Stuff Tasman Trophy remains a six-horse race for the four semi-final spots after the weekend’s penultimate round of games and, in a fitting climax to the round-robin, all six teams in contention play each other this Saturday.

Two catch up games which were scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday nights will not be played with Nelson defaulting to Kahurangi and Waimea Old Boys defaulting to Marist.

That means Central and Kahurangi are now locked in to hosting next weekend’s semi-finals after the two banked wins over Marist and Stoke respectively on Saturday.

What we still don’t know is who they will face next weekend. Wanderers, courtesy of a big win over Waitohi moved into the top four and faces a virtual win-and-you’re-in game against Marist this weekend.

Renwick, the competition front-runner for much of the season, comes off a weekend bye to take on Kahurangi this Saturday and will need a minimum of a point and perhaps more to ensure they extend their season into the playoffs while Stoke has perhaps the toughest path, lining up against the Tasman Trophy’s in-form team, Central, who sit atop the points table.

Central locked up a top two finish holding on grimly to defeat Marist 29-26 in what player/coach Quentin MacDonald described as a bruising affair.

“It was the most physical game we’ve played all season. We knew it was going to be tough over there, but we needed a bit of luck to go our way to get it,” MacDonald said.

Marist looked to have clawed their way back into the contest when Dylan Irvine scored to level the scores with five minutes to play before a late Mitch Smith penalty saw Central bank its fifth consecutive win.

Kahurangi came from a half deficit to score three unanswered second half tries, and defeat Stoke at Greenmeadows by 31-19. Coach Brendon Smith was pleased with the way his side closed out the contest.

“We scored early so got the start we wanted but then we made mistakes which Stoke made us pay for and rolled us over the second half of the first half. Scoring just before halftime gave us a sniff and then we were able to tidy up our mistakes and took our opportunities in the second half,” Smith said.

Wanderers easily accounted for Waitohi 50-7 to stake its claim for a top four finish and set up a virtual quarter-final against Marist this week. A Wanderers win ensures it will play semi-final football while Marist, who sit in sixth spot, need the most help. They will need to win with a bonus point or win and deny Wanderers any points, while needing one of Renwick and Stoke to be beaten.

In the other game on Saturday, Nelson coach Gary Stevens was left ruing what might have been following his side’s 43-13 win over Waimea Old Boys.

“The stars finally aligned for us. It’s the first time we were able to field a squad of 22. We’ve been able to start well but without the depth (due to a combination of injury, unavailability and immigration issues) we have never had the chance to sub strategically and that made all the difference on Saturday,” Stevens said.

In The Car Company Nelson Division Two games, Stoke was made to work hard to keep its undefeated record intact, drawing its game with Huia 17-all while Waimea Old Boys Colts, Marist, Takaka and Wanderers all claimed wins. Meanwhile in the Motorworld Marlborough games Waitohi had to grind out a win over a gutsy Moutere, Marlborough Boys College outlasted Awatere with Central and Renwick also banking wins.

POINTS TABLES:

Stuff Tasman Trophy Men: Central 31, Kahurangi 30, Renwick 24, Wanderers 24, Stoke 22, Marist 20, Waimea Old Boys 1, Waitohi -3, Nelson -5.

The Car Company Nelson Bays Division 2: Stoke 42, Wanderers 32, Riwaka 31, Huia 28, Marist 26, Takaka 23, Waimea Old Boys Colts 19, Valley Stags 11, Collingwood 6, Waimea Old Boys 5, Nelson 1.

Motorworld Marlborough Division 2: Central 41, Waitohi 36, Awatere 33, Marlborough Boys College 31, Renwick 21, Moutere 15, Pelorus 12, Harlequins 1.