Kahurangi make history in clinical performance against Nelson

Kahurangi has made history today, winning the Nelson sub-union title for the first time and with a round to spare.

The side sent a strong statement to its competition ahead of the Tasman Trophy play offs in two weeks time with an emphatic victory over the struggling Nelson this afternoon.

Kahurangi ran in thirteen tries in a clinical display of attacking rugby for a 83-19 win.

Skipper Manu Parkin says while it's satisfying to lock away some silverware, his side wants to make more history in the coming weeks.

"It's nowhere near over, this is not our end goal, we still have two games left and need to finish strong."

Manu empathised with Nelson who have been decimated with injury and player unavailability.

''We have been there and it's a tough spot to be in as a club but they have boys showing up each week and I'm sure they'll get some more in next season."

Led by the masterly Willy Havili up against his old club, Kahurangi ran riot at Trafalgar Park, scoring a bonus point after just fifteen minutes.

Havili was in supreme form as he produced 19-points including a brilliant solo try.

The former college star says it is a special moment for the club.

"It is a first for Kahurangi which is pretty good but we are not satisfied yet."

After debuting for the Mako in 2018, Havili is hoping performances like today's will have him back in contention.

"I am enjoying it again with a good bunch of lads which is the main thing. That is the end goal but as long as I'm enjoying my rugby, then if it comes it comes."

Older brother David could possibly do Willy a favor by earning All Black selection, opening up a spot for him in the Mako squad.

Lock Thomas Robertson opened the scoring for Kahurangi with a close range try before centre Isi Saumaki broke through the line and found halfback Louis Chapman looming on his inside.

Mako midfielder Levi Aumua broke four tackles on his way to Kahurangi’s third while Vito Lammers crashed over for the bonus point try with Nelson shellshocked by the scoring blitz.

Some individual brilliance by Havili followed as he accelerated through a hole from inside his own half and showed too much gas for the cover.

After a sustained period in possession, Nelson finally got on the board through lock Connor Higgins.

The visitors responded immediately as Havili sent winger Jan Lammers away who showed great speed and power to go over in the corner.

Vito Lammers pounced on a Nelson error to put Kahurangi in the fourties before Chris Kerslake scored to give the hosts a glimmer of hope right on the stroke of halftime.

However, it took just over five minutes into the second for the visitors to notch its half century with hooker Qori Gucake reasserting authority.

Some Stein Schreiber brilliance set up flanker Luke Nicholson to score in his 50^thappearance.

Replacement Liam Petrie rumbled over for Kahurangi’s tenth while Culiann Stringer continued the carnage with show and go for the eleventh.

Nelson centre Maifea Feso pulled one back for his side, scoring on the back of a powerful midfield bust but its woes were compounded when Higgins was sent to the sin bin.

An ugly but effective crosskick from Chapman led to a well-deserved Schreiber try before Kahurangi finished in style with Tristan Griffith showing fleet footwork to go in for try number 13.  

Elsewhere, Central kept the Marlborough flag flying, stunning second-placed Waimea Old Boys at Jubilee Park to keep themselves in the race for a semifinal position.

The Blues’ 24-20 win leaves them sixth on the points table but just a single point off third and with one round remaining, they are the only Marlborough-based side still with a chance of making the play-offs.

Another upset in Brightwater saw Wanderers keep its semifinal hopes alive and spoil Marist centre Lote Saulekaleka's 100th appearance with a 30-5 victory.

Stoke bounced back from its last minute loss to Marist last week with a resounding 74-14 win over Waitohi.

Next week's final round sees Kahurangi and Waimea taking the week off with guaranteed semi final spots while Marist, Wanderers, Central and Stoke will fight over the final two spots.

Scorers:

Kahurangi 83 (V. Lammers 2, Schreiber, Robertson, Chapman, Aumua, Havili, J. Lammers, Gucake, Nicholson, Petrie, Stringer, Griffith, Havili 7 cons, Chapman 2 con)

Nelson 19 (Higgins, Kerslake, Feso, tries, Miller-Leaf, 2 cons)

Results:

Kahurangi 83 def Nelson 19

Wanderers 30 def Marist 5

Stoke 74 def Waitohi 14

Central 24 def WOB 20