West Coast Rugby Union - News
The Seagulls racked up a half-century while Grey Valley only had a lone, last minute drop goal to their name in the 50-3 score.
ln other West Coast club games at the weekend, South Westland's strong second half blew out their game against Wests, in Harihari, 40-19, while Marist were too much of a handful for Kiwi in their 43-10 clash, also at Blaketown.
Blaketown's traditionally powerful forward pack did the work, with captain Nathan Iafeta stepping up to the mark with his organisational skills and looking as fit as he has ever been. Not a tuck or maul would form without Iafeta's audibly clear directions ringing out to his subjects.
Grey Valley renowned for their ruthless forwards, were completely outdone by their Blaketown counterparts. The hosts showed their impressive capabilities in the second half Blaketown's 5m scrum, attacking the line, stayed completely intact as it pushed the valley right back, and No8 Brad Houston simply placed the ball for the try Luke Hughes' suspension for a red card from last week's match added to a list of unavailability of core Grey Valley players, such as Tere Wycliff and Blair Mirfin.
Quite simply Blaketown never looked like losing. From Houston's opening try before the five-minute mark had passed, to work horse Mose Tuvalu's dive for the line for his side's final five-pointer, Blaketown dotted down eight times and backed up on each occasion with unbreakable defence.
Too many errors and penalties were the only black marks in an otherwise excellent showing. Grey Valley did not match up in size — something they could not control —- or defensive organisation in the backs, although the number of part-timers in the backline explained why that was happening.
They have to be credited for their unwillingness to give up. One would have to feel for coach Lindsay Hughes without his marquee players to bolster the pack. Flyhalf Sam King, usually a halfback, was a beacon throughout the game but could not be expected to beat Blaketown on his own.
The whole team stood out. West Coast rugby fans are in for a real thriller next week as Blaketown challenge Taylorville-Wallsend Cup holders Marist, in what is sure to be a fiery contest.
Scorers.Blaketown SO (B Houston 3, G Iafeta 2, R Thomson, B Cain, M Tuvalu tries;A Richardson S cons) Grey Valley 3 (S King drop goal)
Reproduced courtesy of the Greymouth Star
Marist,
South Westland romp home
By Matt Kersten
of the Greymouth
Star
Both Marist and South Westland had 40-point-plus victories over Kiwi and Wests respectively on Saturday; after tight scores at half-time in New Forrest Cup rugby matches.
Tied up at 10·10 at half-time, Marist and Kiwi played an even first half of rugby at Arthur Fong Park, Blaketown. Kiwi performed particularly well considering they only had 17 players - two better than last week in Harihari.
Horano Wilson scored a try for Kiwi,Dale Green converted it and added another three points with a penalty Player-coach Kyle Parker said Marist racked up their points in the second half often making ground in broken play which resulted from fatigued players - a result of a lack of numbers. Corban Tauwhare had a strong showing from No8 for Kiwi,while Christchurch player Kane Tainui also shone.
Marist won 43-10.
Wests also limited South Westland in the first half at Harihari, even taking a 12-3 lead at one point. South Westland manager Ray Manera said the hosts started with a hiss and a roar but Wests got their tails up and came back.
However, the southerners pulled it back before the break, with a try and two penalties to take a 16-12 lead.
In the second haf South Westland controlled much of the play eventually winning 40-19.
Manera said David Crouchley, a Grey Valley player last year, and Kruddy Mita both stood out for South Westland, while Wests captain Richie Campbell again played "like he always does",
Scorers:
Marist 43 (Alex Webber (2) tries and Aled
Thomas 1 try , Alex also kicked 13 points as well.
other scorers unavailable)
Kiwi 10 (H Wilson try; D Green pen, con);
South Westland 40 (K
Mita 2, D Crouchley, R Kennedy, P Jonker tries; C Deans
3 pens, 3 cons)
Wests 19 (S Hannan, S McClure, J Havill
tries; Hannan 2 cons)
Reproduced courtesy of the Greymouth Star
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