Fourth round Bayleys Tasman Trophy results

CENTRAL 23 STOKE 22

Accessman Stoke midfielder Chad Lowrie missed a match-winning opportunity as Central's forwards eventually ground out a tense 23-22 pool A win at Greenmeadows.

Lowrie had the chance to seal a late victory as he lined up his seventh kick of the afternoon five minutes from time. He'd already landed five penalties and the conversion to centre Patrick Tafili-Reid's opening third minute try. But the big No12 steered his kick to the left, handing Blenheim-based Central their first win of the series after outscoring the home team three tries to one.

Central needed two tries in the final 15 minutes to eventually overcome Stoke's gritty challenge, substitute prop Paulo Sa'u crashing across in the corner from a quick attacking lineout throw before fellow front rower Greg Wratt sealed the win eight minutes from time.

Stoke had led 16-11 at halftime as Lowrie's impressive long-range accuracy began to frustrate Central, whose only first half try was scored by lock Dan Crockett ranging wide on the right wing. Another two Lowrie strikes after the break gave Stoke a handy 22-11 lead before Central's disciplined forward effort, in which lock Brian Utumapa, No8 Kaleni Taesuli and flanker Quentin MacDonald all played critical roles, wearing the home team down.

WAKATU MARIST 50 AWATERE 23

Poor defence in the opening quarter, the visitors superior forward power plus the brilliance of their centre Kieron Fonotia were the main differences between the two teams in an entertaining pool B match at Seddon.

Fonotia proved unstoppable as Awatere's defence lacked commitment on occasions. Fonotia scored in the second minute, set up another try to Conner Trathen in the 16th minute, then waltzed through most of the Awatere team to score his second in a brilliant 60 metre charge.

Awatere were woeful on occasions, but in patches every bit as effective as their opposition. Fullback David Pope finished off a brilliant move sparked by front rowers Billy Collins and Paul Hickman to close the gap to 13-24 in the first half and Awatere almost scored again from the kick-off.

Wakatu Marist's superior forward power eventually told, led by hooker Francis Smith, No8 Liam Squire in the first half and his brother and lock Dan Squire, they ran in several impressive tries.

Awatere kept plugging away and were rewarded close to fulltime when replacement prop Nicolai Heard barged over.

Hickman, Collins and Kurt Lindsay impressed in the Awatere forwards, while first-five George Davies missed just one shot at goal from six attempts.

HARLEQUINS 29 RENWICK 12

Harlequins team manager Don Barrett reckons if his team could play as well as they did in patches against Renwick they would beat everyone, but instead he said, they continued with their 20 minutes on 20 minutes off form that has been prevalent through the year.

However the Quins were brilliant in patches in this pool B clash which became more disjointed in the second half as benches were cleared.

Powerful up front, led by a fine performance from their hooker and captain Simon Muir and a strong all-round performance from No8 Stu Dalzell, the backs is where Harlequins won the game.

Fullback George Millar was in sublime form and with excellent service from the classy inside pairing of halfback Daniel MacDonald and first-five Hayden Cripps, he weaved his attacking magic.

Renwick certainly didn't back off. No8 Dale Russ, called the "meter-eater" by his coach Baz Henare, played superbly, often clearing up and making the advantage line despite a retreating scrum.

Kyle Marfell attacked the inside channel with success from first-five, he certainly got his team over the advantage line and his defence was punishing.

Russ scored Renwick's opening try and Sam White finished off on a positive note with Renwick's second try in injury time.

NELSON 79 MOUTERE 5

Nelson were just too sharp everywhere for a seriously depleted Moutere side missing several key players in a one-sided pool A match.

Three early tries set the tone as Nelson's slick backline weaved their magic on the back of a dominant forward pack.

Leading the charge up front for Nelson was classy No8 Jake Cooley with three tries. Lock James Foster was another dominant force and first-five James Lash directed his team around the park with skill, scoring two tries, Mitchell Scott was a damaging runner out wide, Andrew Goodman equally impressive in mid-field.

For Moutere, first-five Tom Halse broke the line a couple of times and up front, lock Stu Campbell, Michael Emerson and James Pigou took the battle to Nelson. Benji Keenan provided Moutere's scoring highlight with a well taken first half try.

RIWAKA 22 WANDERERS 21

Enza Riwaka overcame a 14-0 halftime deficit to eventually overhaul Taylor's Contracting Wanderers in another nailbiter at Brightwater.

Accurate goalkicking again proved critical to the outcome as young Riwaka winger Andy Beatson again found his range to keep chipping away at Wanderers' lead after the home team had exploded out of the blocks. Wanderers dominated the opening stanzas as tries to winger Sione Holani from an attacking scrum and then to midfielder Trael Joass from a lineout had them ahead 14-0 before Riwaka had a chance to gather their composure.

But gradually Riwaka began to gain some traction as Beatson steadily eroded Wanderers' lead. A try to fullback Andy Robb, converted by Beatson, kept the momentum with Riwaka as they eventually snatched the lead with about 15 minutes remaining.

WOB 32 HUIA 19

Fullback Josh Rutledge slammed over 22 points to help steer Star and Garter Waimea Old Boys to their second consecutive pool A win in Motueka.

Rutledge ended the match with six penalties and the conversions to both Waimea tries as Waimea led throughout after a blistering start.

They'd raced to a 19-0 lead in almost as many minutes as a try to flanker Dan Hytongue and Rutledge's complementary boot appeared to sit New World Huia on their haunches. But two intercept tries to winger Loti Niue helped to keep Huia in touch, midfielder Tila Mealoi stealing the ball on both occasions to send his winger away, as Waimea took a slender but deserved 19-14 lead into the halftime break.

A further Rutledge penalty, countered by Niue's third try of the match, again had Huia within striking distance at 22-19. However, Waimea weren't about to waste the efforts of their dominant forward pack as another Rutledge penalty and a late converted try to flanker Kerry O'Connor ultimately sealed a vital win.