Club Rugby: Drama at highest level, Marist snatches win on Woodlands' big day
“Physicality and the intensity of the game, it was as good as I’ve played in a club game. And the Woodies guys agreed with that.”
Well, that was another eventful round in Southland’s 2023 premier club rugby competition. Logan Savory wraps up round nine starting with the dramatic showdown at Woodlands on a day when the Woodlands Rugby Club was celebrating its 125th jubilee. Photographer Debbie Fahey was on hand to capture the action.
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Aiden Harrington will forever be remembered as the party spoiler.
With time almost up in the Marist v Woodlands showdown, the score at 30-26, and with Woodlands having possession in a strong field position, Woodlands looked certain to celebrate its 125th jubilee with a hard-earned victory on Saturday.
Harrington had other thoughts though.
The replacement fullback latched onto a wide Woodlands pass and with Woodlands flanker Josh Evans in pursuit Harrington ran from within his own 22m to score the match-winner.
It capped off a dramatic victory for Marist against the odds.
With just over five minutes to play Marist was 30-19 down and was playing with 13 men. Replacement forward Aleki Saili was red-carded for a head-butt and could now be in for an extended stint on the sideline.
Rueben Northover was also shown a yellow card for a high tackle. Even captain Scott Eade conceded after the game he thought victory was probably out of its reach with just over five minutes to play.
But it was wing Joseph Koroiadi who was first to score before Harrington delivered the dramatic late blow in front of a massive crowd for Woodlands’ 125th jubilee celebrations.
Eade’s club rugby playing days dates back 12 or so years and he isn’t sure he’s played in such an intense club game.
“That was probably one of the better club games for a long time…. It was a pretty good game of footy.
“Physicality and the intensity of the game, it was as good as I’ve played in a club game. And the Woodies guys agreed with that.”
“It was a hell of a game of rugby, Woodlands threw a lot at us.”
Marist had plenty of heroes across the park in snatching the win, although No 8 Olly Lawson was probably the best.
Last year’s Tasman U20 player of the year is getting better week by week which is not just a key for a Marist but is encouraging for his future Southland representative prospects.
On a disappointing note, inform midfielder Tevita Latu injured his pectoral and might now be touch and go for the crunch stage of the club season.
The win rubber-stamped a remarkable turnaround for Marist considering in the corresponding game in round one Woodlands racked up 70 points against Marist.
Marist has now won five straight games and finds itself sitting third in the competition standings after the horror start to the season.
“Our guys have turned a massive corner just being able to stay in the fight and working really hard for each other. Some of our younger guys have really stepped up.”
Woodlands on the other hand have now dropped three straight games, although Eade doesn’t think there should be much read into that.
“They’ll bounce back. They actually played some good rugby, we had to absorb a lot of pressure.”
Woodlands welcomed back Blair Ryall on Saturday who played 40 minutes after suffering a nasty ankle injury in round one against Marist. The loose forward adds plenty to the Woodlands setup.
Star has produced its best performance of the 2023 season to keep the door to a possible semifinal spot slightly open.
Star has struggled to date in 2023 with injury and unavailability playing havoc.
However, on Saturday it welcomed some troops back on the club’s ‘club day’ and run rampant against Blues.
It took just a couple of minutes for Star to get on the board and scored a further four first-half tries to lead 30-7 at the halftime break.
The home team racked up a further four second-half tries to push out to the confidence-boosting 58-14.
Hooker Kaya Symon led the way with ball in hand and was a standout in the dominant performance. No 8 Jordan Stewart carried the ball strongly as per usual and was awarded with a couple of tries.
With the return of Stag looseforward Grayson Knapp Star had some handy artillery it could call on from the bench in the second half.
For Blues, it was a tough day out.
They were down on playing resources, which included the withdrawal of halfback Jay Renton on the day of the game because of illness.
Despite Blues spending the majority of the game on the back foot wing Michael Manson still found some opportunities to provide a glimpse of his speed and agility.
He scored both of Blues’ tries and while 2023 isn’t looking like the best of seasons for Blues Manson is positioning himself well for a big 2023 NPC campaign with the Stags.
The Eastern-Northern Barbarians continued its unbeaten run through a 31-14 victory over Midlands with loose forward Caine Taylor contributing 16 points.
The Barbarians’ depth is being tested a little at the moment with key players Jahvis Wallace, Jacob Coghlan, Jordan Maher, and Angus Simmers all missing through injury on Saturday, and other players unavailable.
Midlands tested Barbarians throughout, but the Gore-based outfit still did enough to claim another bonus point win and put it six points clear at the top of the competition standings.
Loose forwards Leror Ferguson and Taylor were two of the standouts in the win.
Taylor showcased his skills by again taking on the goal-kicking duties. He landed three conversions to go with the two tries he scored.
He finished the game playing at second five-eighth.
The Barbarians now eye a mouth-watering showdown against the inform Marist at Miller St on Saturday.
STANDINGS
Eastern Northern Barbarians 34 competition points; Woodlands 28, Marist 26, Pirates-Old Boys 23, Star 14, Blues 12, Midlands 6.
Division One:
Wyndham 71, Te Anau 10
Tokanui 49, Albion 7
Pioneer 33, Drummond-Limehills-Star 22
Edendale 27, Waikaka White Star 21
Division Two:
(CJ Soper Shield)
Mataura 38, Pioneer 19
Bluff 64, Ohai Nightcaps 12
Waiau Star 34, Waikiwi 22
(Life Members Trophy)
Woodlands 35, Marist 32
Wakatipu 58, Midlands 12
Star 20, Blues 15