Marist wears down Waimea in top of the table clash

Marist has beaten Waimea Old Boys 36-31 as the top of the table club rugby clash lived up to its billing in Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

After an early try from short range to Marist hooker Luke Collier, the visitors were forced to defend their line for several minutes.

The team survived a slew of penalties, dished out by referee Andrew Matthews, finally won a turnover and conjured up one of the tries of the season.

Fullback Luke Kilworth ran the ball from inside his own 22 metre line, linked with winger Adam Schwass and first five Cooper Grant outstretched the Waimea defence.

But the game changed after Luke Kilworth was sinbinned for a deliberate knock down as the home side threatened to score.

Waimea halfback Cody Grimes plunged over in the 25^thminute and wing Fletcher Matthews, in his first match for the club, converted an overlap to cross out wide.

Cooper knocked over a penalty goal for Marist to regain the lead 17-14 but then, as usual, hooker Guilhem Bourgois scored a try, his eighth of the season, and Waimea was in front 21-17 at the break.

But, where Waimea hasn’t been as convincing in second halves, that is where Marist has been dominant and the game followed that script.

Luke Kilworth scored early in the second half and then his lead up work led to his good mate Cooper grabbing his second try.

Luke then did it all himself with a kick and chase and Marist bolted clear 36-21.

Waimea, which was celebrating club day, finished strongly with “Gui” getting a second try,

The Frenchman was sinbinned soon after, and his replacement Kees Barnes, scored in the 84^thminute for Waimea to secure two bonus points in the 36-31 loss.

Both sides scored five tries.

It was Marist’s second win over Waimea this season. The first was just as close, 30-26 at Trafalgar Park.

Marist has now opened up a three point lead over Waimea at the top of the Tasman Trophy table.

In the other matches, Stoke snapped a six match losing streak to edge Central 43-39 at Greenmeadows with centre Amanaki Saumaki getting a hatrick.

Defending champions Kahurangi just got home over  Nelson 40-36 at Trafalgar Park.

All Black Sevens player Andrew Knewstubb made a rare appearance for Kahurangi, scoring a try for the club he first turned out for in 2014.