Marlborough win back Shield in scrappy game

Story by: WAYNE MARTIN - Nelson Mail - Photo by: By Chris Symes

The Nelson Bays rugby team took the Seddon Shield off Marlborough 13 long years ago in Westport.

They finally handed it back to them in Motueka on Saturday.

It was wet, it was muddy and it was close, with Marlborough eventually sneaking home 13-12 after a scoreless second half.

Nelson Bays took no solace in outscoring the challengers two tries to one, instead lamenting a spate of second half handling errors, several of them with tries beckoning, to highlight a frustrating day of missed opportunities.

Marlborough also suffered plenty of second half anxiety after missing three penalty attempts which could have provided some breathing space.

Fullback Ra Tamati, winger Greg Blick and first five-eighth Marty Campbell each dragged attempts to the left of the posts to keep Nelson Bays well in the hunt and with some hope of salvaging a late victory.

But Nelson Bays continued to cough up possession and with Marlborough's big pack effectively grinding down Nelson Bays' forwards, the home team struggled to make any leeway in the slippery conditions.

All three tries were beauties.

Nelson Bays' right winger Ali Durrant struck in only the second minute from a clean Ben Douglas lineout take, left winger Jerome Harimate creating the impetus before several pairs of hands saw Durrant finish in the corner.

Harimate was in the action again 14 minutes later when he scored a superb individual try, regathering his own chip kick to slide across in several tackles.

With Nelson Bays ahead 12-3, Marlborough also displayed some clinical set phase execution when second five-eighth Fo'ou Tiueti burst clear from an attacking scrum to dive across beside the posts and give the challengers their 13-12 halftime lead.

That was to be the end of the scoring as Nelson Bays endemic handling problems and Marlborough's errant goalkicking kept both teams well and truly in the contest.

Marlborough were guilty of kicking away too much first half possession which, on a drier, harder track, Nelson Bays might have turned to much greater profit.

Marlborough continued to bomb Nelson Bays in the second half although with better height and distance, and always with the hope of more skittery Nelson Bays handling paying dividends.

And for the most part, Nelson Bays duly obliged.

Nelson Bays still threatened to breach Marlborough's defensive line although with much of the hard work achieved, the interminable handling lapses would inevitably release all the pressure.

While graciously acknowledging Marlborough's commitment and resolve, Nelson Bays coach Wayne Love admitted that his players created most of their own misfortune.

"We created scoring opportunities but we dropped the last pass and just made so many mistakes," said Love.

"Sometimes that's pressure, but it wasn't pressure today, it was just guys' skill levels and, unfortunately, that's where some of these players are at, it's as simple as that.

"[Marlborough] played well, we can't take that away from them, and they stuck to their game plan, but in saying that, you can't make those mistakes and win rugby games. So it's disappointing for us because of the mistakes.

"We had more than enough chances to win the game, but if you drop the ball and those sorts of things, you can't win when you make those mistakes."

The match also doubled as both teams' first hit out in the new South Island Mainland competition also involving other Crusaders franchise teams Canterbury Metro, Canterbury Country and Canterbury Colts. It means that Nelson Bays still have plenty to play for.

"It'll be a learning experience for the boys as well ... and if they learn from that, we can go forward in the rest of the competition.

"They tried things and through handling as much as anything, it just didn't come off. We've had a lot of trials and tribulations this year through injuries and players not [being] available, but at the end of the day, you've got to work with what you've got and they're a good bunch and they'll be stronger for it."

The winner of the Crusaders region will meet the winner of the corresponding Highlanders region series to determine the South Island champion.

Nelson Bays' next match is against Canterbury Metro in Christchurch on September 11.

Marlborough 13 (Fo'ou Tiueti try, Ra Tamati 2 pens, con) Nelson Bays 12 (Ali Durrant, Jerome Harimate tries, Kri