Marist’s 10 match unbeaten run in the Tasman Trophy has come to an end at Trafalgar Park, going down 27-26 to Waimea Old Boys.
In a rematch of last year’s final, Marist hosted Waimea and was looking to win its eighth straight game of this season, but Waimea finally turned the tables.
Rebounding from a loss to Nelson two weeks ago, Waimea scored four first half tries to lead 24-14 at the break.
Lock Sio Latu claimed two of those five pointers.
But Marist is renowned for its strong second halves and charged back into the match, edging ahead 26-24.
While Waimea was kept tryless in the second spell, a late penalty goal from captain Campbell Parata was enough to get them home 27-26 and lift the John Goodman Challenge Trophy for the first ever time.
Marist still leads the competition with 37 points with Waimea and Nelson locked on 28 with Waimea just ahead of Nelson on points differential.
There was no such drama at Cooks Reserve, in Riwaka, as Nelson brushed aside Kahurangi 33-5 on a remarkably good surface given the recent heavy rain.
Electric Nelson College winger Solo Gukirewa carried on his try scoring way with the first and last of the five tries for Nelson.
His combination on attack and defence with second five Soni Malaulau was a feature of the match.
Despite the comprehensive winning margin, Nelson coach Tom Marshall reckons there is plenty of room for improvement.
“We thought it was going to be a tough, wet and gloomy day but it was probably a bit too good conditions for our lads. We chucked the ball around a lot, it was a bit like hot potato. Some good patches of rugby and poor ones as well,” insists Tom.
The big upset came in Blenheim where Stoke stunned Central 45-17 to record its first win of the season.
Former Marlborough Boys’ star centre turned fullback Anru Erasmus returned home to grab a double for Stoke.
That result means Kahurangi still has a slim chance of making the play-offs with two rounds to go.
Points: Marist 37, Waimea Old Boys 28, Nelson 28, Central 21, Kahurangi 12, Stoke 8.
