Blaketown lock Brad Houston makes a charge while Grey Valley winger Kurt Becker holds on to him during their Muir Trophy senior rugby match, in Ikamatua on Saturday.

Blaketown's clinical second-half display left Grey Valley reflecting on a 57-16 defeat at Ikamatua on Saturday, after trailing 12-9 at half-time.

Spearheaded by stunning performances from midfielder Nathan McEwen and lock Brad Houston, the seagulls went to town around the hour mark with seven tries scored in less than 25 minutes.

Fullback Luke Hughes kept the valley in it for the first half with three long range penalties, and he looked impressive on attack but could not do everything himself as Blaketown ran rampant.
Handling errors at both ends of the paddock debilitated Grey Valley.

It was McEwen who opened up play in the opening minutes for Blaketown's first try. The lanky second-five, more known for his boxing aptitude than his rugby skills, high-tailed it up the middle of the field as Grey Valley scrambled to close a gap in their defence on halfway.

The offensive pressure resulted in a penalty and Alan Monk tapped and went, brushing off a single defender on his way over the try line.

Following a Hughes penalty, the visitors' captain, Nathan Iafeta, put his name on the scoresheet soon after as Blaketown took on valley at their own game, shunting the forwards back from a 10m lineout. Hughes added two more three-pointers consecutively before half-time.

Blaketown centre James Ward was also sin-binned for a high tackle, but Grey Valley failed to earn any points during his time off the field.

The second half was a try fest for the victors, with Houston and McEwen notching braces each and Iafeta, Ward and Mose Tuvalu also adding five-pointers. Kicker Nathan Williamson knocked over five conversions.

McEwen's couple were most impressive, both leaving Grey Valley out on their feet as the Blaketown backs linked perfectly down the right side.

Centre, Royce Green, scored Grey Valley's only try, finally giving the spectators something to cheer about, but it really was little consolation after such an onslaught from Blaketown.
When Blaketown take control of a match, they look unbeatable.

Although gripes with the refereeing could be heard from both on and off the field, once the Blaketown players forgot about the calls that did not go their way they were comprehensive.

Grey Valley played well in the first 40 minutes, and having beaten Marist last week another comeback was not off the cards. However, handling errors were their main curse and Blaketown's form certainly did not help.

Results.--
Blaketown 57 (N McEwen 2, N Iafeta 2, B Houston 2, A Monk, M Tuvalu, J Ward tries; N Williamson 6 cons),
Grey Valley 16 (R Green try; L Hughes 3 pens, con);

Marist 50 ( A Webber 2, M Mudu 2, A Lewis, N Langi, A Merriman, A Thomas tries; Webber 5 cons),
Kiwi 19 (J Kearns, J Muir, S McDermott tries; D Green con, E Williams con);

South Westland beat Wests by default.