Marist slightly made up for a shocking first half but could not prevent a spanking at the hands of Blaketown, losing 52-12 in Muir Trophy senior rugby at Arthur Fong Park on Saturday.

At 38-0 at half time, and only looking likely to get worse, Marist did well to come back and win the second period 12-7 after a combination of poor defence and Blaketown’s intelligent vision wrapped up the match in the first 40 minutes.

Only two of the Seagulls’ seven tries were not scored down the blindside of rucks or scrums — a telling statistic on Marist’s defence. The lack of commitment from Marist’s forwards, apart from the usual workhorses like Luke McNeish, Mike Meehan and Napole Langi, also led to a lack of possession and therefore more time on defence.

Flanker Robert Gabriel scored a hattrick in the first half while Alan Monk, Adam Richardson, James Ward and Brad Houston also put their names on the scoreboard.

Marist played much better rugby was played in the second half — Langi scored quickly in the corner, benefiting from the support he gave fullback Maleli Mudu when he skipped through
a hole in what had been an unbreakable black wall until then.

The 18-year-old Tongan added another five points after another break in play; halfback Jack Douglas and second five Adam Lewis both getting involved in the build up. Marist’s tight five was finally standing up and holding onto the ball, and the backs worked the ball closer to the line
but were unable to find another gap. Blaketown scored their only try of the second half in the dying minutes, fullback Robert Thomson flying over.

Young Beau Cain had an excellent game with the boot, converting all but one of his side’s tries.
Blaketown’s loose forwards — Nathan Iafeta, Houston and Gabriel — were outstanding for the hosts. Blaketown are now untouchable at the top of the Muir Trophy table with 54 points, Marist are second with 41 with only two regular season games left.

Scorers.—
Blaketown 52 (R Gabriel 3, B Houston, A Richardson, J Ward R Th omson, A Monk tries; B Cain 7
cons)
Marist 12 (N Langi 2 tries; A Webber con).

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Matt Kersten
Greymouth Star Newspaper