In contrast to last week’s match against Nelson College, Waimea started Saturday’s match strongly and won the early exchanges. They scored first after spreading the ball quickly leading to a good run by right wing Limmer who passed inside to Cam Roongue who went over for the try. Jack Hahn added the conversion and Waimea were looking good in front of their home crowd at 7 – 0. They continued to get good possession but were unable to penetrate the Marl borough defence.
The right winger for Marlborough, L Solomona, was next to dot down after using his pace to beat the opposition. The try was converted by fullback K Murrell and the scores were even at 7 – 7. The Marlborough pack began to establish some dominance and with big No 8 Jaydyn Holdaway and blind side flanker Josh Chapman made some good territory with strong runs. They nearly always broke the first tackle and, unlike Waimea, there was always someone running off the shoulder to take the pass.
The next try went to Marlborough who showed quick hands resulting in the other loose forward O Lawson crossing over. The conversion attempt was astray and Marlborough led by 12 – 7. Waimea fell further behind after a cruel bounce inside the 22 fell into the Marlborough halfback’s hands and Jones went over for the try which was converted by Murrell. At 19 – 7 down, the signs were ominous for Waimea and Jaydyn Holdaway was too strong for the defence and crashed over near the posts. Murrell was again on target with his conversion and the lead had stretched out to 26 – 7.
Centre Kahui was next to score just before the break when he went over out wide with the cover defence nowhere in sight. A very good conversion by Murrell closed the half out at 33 – 7.
Waimea were first to score in the second half with Duncan Drysdale finishing off a good run by Ryan Churchill. Hahn was accurate with the boot and Waimea were trailing by 33-14 and looking better organised. They were able to slow the game down and were on the right side of a number of 50/50 referee calls. After several warnings from the referee for not releasing or rolling away in the ruck, Jaydyn Holdaway was shown a yellow card and spent the next 10 minutes watching from behind the posts.
Halfback Jones scored his second try which was converted by Murrell and the last scoring action of the game was a try to tighthead prop Manu Moli. This was also converted by Murrell and the final whistle sounded with Marlborough running out comfortable winners by 47 – 14. Marlborough were in control of the match after about ten minutes but did go off the boil in the second half.
In a dominant Marlborough side Jaydyn Holdaway had a strong game and I was impressed with the effort of Josh Chapman who proved to be difficult for the Waimea boys to contain. I hope to see more of him as he really did catch my eye with his strength and the good lines he ran. Jones at halfback had a good game and kept his team on the front foot with very crisp passes from broken play. Solomona on the right wing showed that he had wheels and beat the defence on a number of occasions.
For the Waimea Combined side the midfield pairing of Lammers and Churchill did some good work with Jayde Palmer at fullback and Duncan Drysdale on the left wing also having a few good runs. The Waimea Combined side need to up their game over the next few weeks if they are to salvage some pride from their season.
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