Round 6 Bayleys Tasman Trophy results

Nelson and Marist have already booked their places in an all-Nelson Bays Bayleys Tasman Trophy interprovincial rugby final with still one round of pool play remaining.

Both eased to convincing victories on Saturday, Galbraith Group Nelson getting past Star and Garter Waimea Old Boys 36-13 in their pool A clash at Jubilee Park to also retain the Noel Barton Trophy. And at Trafalgar Park, Wakatu Hotel Marist eventually over-ran Blenheim team Harlequins 36-19 in pool B, Marist cashing in on Awatere's upset 20-13 win over Enza Riwaka at Seddon to knock Riwaka out of contention.

Meanwhile, injuries to Moutere's front row stocks handed Accessman Stoke their easiest five points of the season after Moutere defaulted their scheduled pool A clash at Greenmeadows.

Nelson 36 Waimea Old Boys 13
Nelson ran in four superbly crafted second-half tries to stifle Waimea's early resistance after Nelson had led just 10-0 in a competitive first half.

Waimea's forwards, with lock Tevita Cavubati and flanker Dan Hytongue prominent, appeared well up for the fight early on, requiring a disciplined approach from Nelson to keep themselves at arm's length.

A James Lash drop goal and a converted try to winger Mitchell Scott provided all Nelson's first-half scoring. And when Waimea narrowed the margin to 10-6 shortly after the break, it was game on.

Nelson responded with 30 minutes of clinical attacking rugby as further tries to Scott, Robbie Malneek, Vai Asomua-Goodman and Loui Harvey eventually had Waimea trailing in their wake. Waimea's only reply was a converted try to centre James Lowe as Nelson's forwards began to shut down Waimea's previously effective pack.

Waimea's defensive line, quick and effective during the first half, gradually began to unravel as the pressure created by Nelson's slick backs started to force gaps.

Front rowers James Hadfield and Christian Tupuola and lock James Foster epitomised Nelson's relentless approach up front, while Malneek, Scott and centre Kim Bateman helped to spark Nelson's late attacking onslaught with their penetrative running.

Marist 36 Harlequins 19
Wakatu Hotel Marist also produced a dominant second-half performance to finally ease past Harlequins, scoring six tries to two.

Harlequins were well in the contest when No10 Hayden Cripps landed the third of his penalty successes six minutes into the second half to put the visitors ahead 19-17.

It was their third lead of the match after holding early 5-0 and 10-5 advantages after tries to pacey fullback George Millar and lively halfback Daniel MacDonald from a ruck turnover. And when Cripps added his first penalty just seven minutes before the break to regain the lead at 13-12, Harlequins again had every reason for confidence.
But Marist continued to apply the pressure, responding with tries to prop Matt Muollo, from a Latham Jones counter attack, and to rangy No8 Liam Squire before first five-eighth Jason Merrett's try just before halftime put them 17-13 ahead at the break.

But from the time strong-running midfielder Kieron Fonotia crossed 12 minutes after the restart to reclaim the lead at 22-19, Marist quickly took control. Further tries to Squire and finally to flanker Carl Monopoli, both off piercing Fonotia breaks, eventually took Marist beyond Harlequins' reach.

Some loose early passing by Marist's backs eventually gave way to a more direct attacking approach as Fonotia and Devon Scott began to punch holes in Harlequins' defence. Flanker Gary Redmond's impressive tackle count, backed up by Liam Squire's excellent support play and brother Dan's effective lineout presence, eventually proved too much for an otherwise busy Harlequins forward pack in which hooker Simon Muir and No8 Stu Dalzell made early impressions.

Awatere 20 Riwaka 13

A strong first half and resolute defence in the second propelled Awatere to a fine victory on their home patch at Seddon, their first in the competition.

In what coach Chris Ryan described as "a scrappy match", the Tussock Jumpers played well in the first half, winning enough possession to put pressure on the Riwaka side and were rewarded with two well-taken tries. Centre Nick Pope scored one of them after chasing up a kick at goal that missed and catching the slack Riwaka defenders napping as he dived on the loose ball first.

Hooker Billy Collins capped off a strong performance with the other try, the result of a trademark Awatere forward drive, the home side taking a 17-0 lead into halftime.

Ryan was particularly pleased with how his team defended, especially in the second half when they spent long periods without the ball deep in their own territory.

Collins and lock Hamish Blackwell shone in a typically hard-working forward pack and in the backs, first-five George Davies and fullback David Pope impressed and both kicked vital goals.

No information was available from the Riwaka camp.

Wanderers 24 Renwick 22

With less than 10 minutes remaining, Wanderers looked home and dry when midfielder Sione Holani burst through to score and give the visitors a 24-10 lead.

However, Renwick were far from finished. First, centre Riki Winitana scored an intercept try as Wanderers dithered near their 22, then with three minutes remaining, winger Jade Bevan did well to finish a brilliant attack with a try in the corner, a try featuring the Marfell brothers Kyle and Hayden and Bejay Bampton.

Amco Cassidy's sideline conversion attempt to draw the match just sailed wide. Renwick were awarded a penalty from halfway following the conversion attempt after Wanderers fullback Alex Lean was yellow carded for abusing linesman Joe Bancroft.

Renwick chose to run the ball rather than attempt a long-range goal and the visitors hung on to win an entertaining match.

Renwick dominated the early stages and took the lead in the 13th minute when flanker Beaufa Brown scored from a superbly worked lineout move.

Wanderers led 7-5 at halftime after lock Kurtis Bandy scored, then in the third quarter, winger Riley Johnson scored a brilliant solo try. Fullback Lean made a big counter-attacking run to set Damian Powart up for another try for a 19-5 lead, but the Green Machine hit back, big prop Anaru Norton crashing over. Then came the hectic last few minutes when three tries were scored.

Lock Sam White and prop James Hounslow led a spirited Renwick forward effort which featured a dominant scrum, with first-five Kyle Marfell and Bevan the best of an adventurous backline.

For Wanderers, coached by former Renwick coach Johnny Bloxham, flanker Loa Winley and fellow flanker Dan Perrin were the pick of a strong forward pack and Riley Johnson was a constant menace on attack.

In the other pool A clash, Central 16 beat Waitohi 15 in Picton.