By Matt Kersten of the Greymouth Star

It was a heartbreaking loss for Wests, who scored nearly every time their backs got hold of the ball. However, the lack of size and co-ordination in the engine room was exploited by the ruthless Grey Valley forward pack, who pushed Wests right off four of their own scrums.

"Marist Captain Mike Meehan crashes over for a try, with a little help from Marist evergreen lock David Neame, during Marist's last gasp 34-30 win over Sth Westland in Hari Hari on Saturday"

Grey Valley also owned the lineout lanky lock Andrew Verway was unmatched in the air, both for and against the throw. The hosts intentions were completely clear from the get go. Sam King dived through a gap on the try line within the opening minutes that had to be credited to the forwards for making die hard yards.

Verway was in next as the Valley forwards shunted Wests back 5m at a scrum, and two phases of play later he pressed the ball in the left corner without any defenders to worry about.

Prop Brad Clough added another, finishing off as Grey Valley mauled it forward from a lineout 15m from the line. Sean McClure pegged one back for Wests 25 minutes into the half .

Returning a clearing kick, the fullback put up a long chip kick after breaking free of defenders, and re-gathered the awkward bounce to dot down under the posts. The whole Wests backline worked together for one of the most impressive five-pointers of the season in the subsequent play.

From inside their own 22m, they worked it wide to Lee Foster, who streaked down the right flank only to be tackled on Grey Valley’s 22m. Somehow, he then got himself to the other side of the field to finish off as Wests worked it around the broken play Sam Meldrum converted to make it 19•14.

Grey Valley came straight back, though, Luke Hughes touching down in the corner just before half-time.

When Hughes notched his brace just after the break, Wests looked down and out at 29-14.

However, they worked themselves to within three points of the lead after tries to Pete Te Rakau and Nathan Smith. The Wests backs showed that whenever they had possession they were a threat; neatly every attacking movement resulted in a try.

The forwards were not coping, though, especially in the scrum. Valley first five Ash Goode slotted a penalty from directly in front, which Wests conceded after facing too much pressure in front of their own line.

Goode knocked over another just minutes later and Blair Mirfin, coming on as a replacement, tumbled over just before the final whistle in the last scoring play. You could not help but feel sorry for Wests, who showed such tenacity to prove that when they scored it was not a fluke.

But Grey Valley simply overpowered them up front in easily their strongest area.

Referee Steve Menzies, who was consistent with the whistle, said Valley played the most disciplined he had ever seen from them, and it made for much more enjoyable rugby.

Scorers.-
Grey Valley 42 (L Hughes 2, B Clough, S King, A Verway, B Mirfin tries; A Goode 2 pens, 3 cons),
Wests 26 (L Foster, S McClure, P Te Rakau, N Smith tries; S Meldrum 3 cons)

Other results.-
Marist 34 (A Webber, M Mudu, N Langi, M Meehan, A Merriman tries; Mudu pen, 3 cons)
South Westland 30 (C Nolan 2, C Deans, J Batchelor tries; Deans pen, 2 cons, drop goal)

Blaketown 44 (A Richardson 3, P Thomson, R Thomson, R Gabriel, M Tuvalu tries; N Williamson pen, 3 cons)
Kiwi 18 (penalty try H Wilson try; D Tauwhare pen, con, drop goal)