Inspirational Marist forward Tom Thornalley notched his 50th club game as his side crushed Central 66-24 in their Tasman Trophy clash at Trafalgar Park.
The only surprise was the 24-year-old insurance assessor didn’t score one of his team’s tries, five in each half as they defended the John Goodman Trophy to start the second round of Div 1 club competition.
Tom, who has switched from lock to the blindside flank, had grabbed eight five pointers in the previous five matches.
“The backs were pretty slick today so I am not complaining”, quips Tom.
Marist punished an understrength Marlborough outfit which was missing half a dozen regular starters, including player-coach Quentin MacDonald.
The home side bolted 14 points clear in the first six minutes with hooker Dylan Irvine and wing Finn Kilworth scoring.
Centre Timi Sauira, first five Jason Kilworth and halfback Wil Thornalley got in on the act, in the second quarter, as the competition leaders had five tries and a 31-point lead by half-time.
The visitors responded with four tries in the second spell with second five Jake Pacey proving too pacey for the defence while openside flanker Jack Kelly muscled over as well.
But Marist got another five of its own through fullback Rylee Samuela and bench players Johnathon Malimali and Dillon Geddes.
Wil Thornalley scooted away for a second but hurt his shoulder in the process and Nic Saurira completed the 10-try drubbing in a free-flowing match refereed by visiting Northland official John Hammond.
Marist took its winning streak to nine games and is unbeaten at Trafalgar Park since last June.
It was a fitting tribute for Tom Thornalley who would have joined his brother Wil in the 50 club earlier except for missing two seasons with a back injury.
“The back is pretty good these days. I am working on my strength in the gym”, says the 1.96 metre utility forward who is keen to press his Tasman Mako claims this year.
The sixth win of the season saw Marist maintain its eight point lead over Waimea Old Boys which beat Kahurangi 27-19.
Despite picking up a four try bonus point, Central slipped to fourth place after Nelson beat winless Stoke 36-21.
Meanwhile the early Div 2 match at Trafalgar Park proved a family affair for the McDougall brothers with hooker Isaac bringing up 150 games as the Marist Saints mauled Murchison 94-5.
Issac was joined in the front row by brothers Duncan and player-coach Patrick who promoted himself from the reserves to start.
Patrick has played 157 matches for Marist and Duncan 87, making a combined total of 394 so expect another family reunion to mark the 400.
In the women’s competition, Kahurangi retained the Billy Guyton Challenge Shield after overwhelming Waimea 43-0 at Cooks Reserve.
