Nelson coach Tom Marshall talked up his injury-hit side as genuine upset contenders against Waimea Old Boys and once again proved spot on.
Despite entering the clash at Trafalgar Park in third, Nelson outplayed the second-placed visitors 40-26 in a match that swung on a mounting injury toll for Waimea.
The visitors’ problems began early when a head knock forced second five Sam Briggs from the field after just nine minutes. First five Cameron Parata dislocated a finger before half-time and wing Jay Tuapola injured his shoulder early in the second spell, leaving loose forwards to fill midfield roles.
Nelson first five and captain Fletcher Hewitt-Smart finished off a slick backline move to open the scoring in the 13th minute, before Waimea responded through a lineout drive that sent hooker Kees Barnes over.
The hosts’ backline was full of running, with second five Soni Malaulau dashing 50 metres in the build-up to Nelson’s second try, scored by flanker Bill Tuvai.
Waimea levelled the scores at 14-all on half-time when a charge at the line by prop Joel Lauvale led to a try for halfback Codey Grimes, who also converted it in the absence of Campbell.
Nelson regained the lead early in the second half after wing Adam Schwass made the initial break that eventually led to his own try.
Waimea struck straight back when centre Flynn Bainbridge, who had switched to first five, cut through the Nelson defence to send wing Karl Palmer over. Grimes’ sideline conversion edged Waimea ahead 21-19.
Grimes then charged down a clearing kick and scored to extend the lead to 26-19.“I don’t think we had anyone left on the bench and, with forwards running in the backs, in the end we just blew out,” Codey says.
Nelson’s defence began to take its toll as the match wore on and livewire centre Mikey Morrison slipped a pass to former Nelson College teammate Kobe Brownlee. The Baby Black thundered 50 metres down the touchline to score in the corner.
The bruising loose forward, fresh back from the New Zealand Under-20 side’s tour of South Africa, says it was probably the best try he has ever scored.
Nelson hooker Chris Kerslake, who came out of retirement to cover injuries and played the full match, had the best view.
“I was waiting for the pass but he just kept on going. He’s a phenomenal player,” the 35-year-old tradie says. Chris last played in 2023 and formerly captained the side.
Fletcher added the conversion before grabbing his second try as Nelson pulled clear.
Mikey capped a strong performance with Nelson’s sixth and final try as the hosts claimed a 40-26 win and lifted the Noel Barton Cup. Fletcher’s conversion gave him a 20-point haul.
By then the light was fading, with kick-off delayed by half an hour after Nelson loose forward Kwaid Ahhoi suffered a serious neck injury early in the second half of the division two match against Waimea.
Kwaid lay on the field for more than an hour before an ambulance arrived and the game was called off with Waimea leading 40-0.
The main-game victory lifts Nelson level on points with Waimea, though the Richmond side remains second on points differential behind runaway leader Marist, which is unbeaten after seven matches.
