Marist captain celebrates 100th game with a championship
Marist captain Manaia Ashley Ulutupu with the Tasman Trophy after her side beat Moutere at Trafalgar Park today. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.
Marist have completed a hattrick of championships, beating Moutere 48-3 in the Tasman Trophy women’s final at Trafalgar Park today.
The win capped off a memorable afternoon for the team’s captain Manaia Ashley Ulutupu, who opened the scoring in what was also her 100th game for the club.
“The hundredth had to be the final. I actually felt the pressure, but I had the right team to finish it with,” she said after fulltime.
Marist have been the dominate club side for most of the season, losing just once and it didn’t take long for it to get going again today. Ulutupu drove over the line to score a try in the 12th minute on the back of a tight-head scrum for the hosts.
While Marist’s first try could be put down to its forward pack, the backs showed their skills to link up nicely before winger Iva Sauira side-stepped her way over in the right-hand corner for the team’s second try of the day.
Marist scored two more tries in the first half, the first to first-five-eight Staci Kohe and the second to prop Kolotita Lupeituu. A penalty goal to each side in the middle of those tries saw Marist take a dominate 29-3 lead into halftime.
Marist halfback Lucy Mahuika was a standout for the champions. She worked the team around the pitch expertly, dropping box-kicks into gaps and was always a threat around the ruck.
So, when she opened the scoring in the second half, it was good reward for her effort and put any thought of a Moutere comeback to rest.
Two further tries to Shevaun Collier and Lesieli Taufa pushed the final scoreline to 48-3 before celebrations began for Marist.
Ulutupu says she was proud of her side’s performance.
“I’m proud and I’m honoured. Honoured to be with this team. When we first built this up with a few friends, this was our goal, to win but to so by building culture and building family. We are more than just a team.
“Most of us are mums so we love showing the younger ones that are coming up just the right way. Just show them humble beginnings and building friendships inside the team and outside of rugby.”
Scores
Marist 48: Tries to Manaia Ashley Ulutupu, Iva Sauira, Staci Kohe, Kolotita Lupeituu, Lucy Mahuika, Shevaun Collier, Lesieli Taufa. Cons: Lucy Mahuika (5). Pens: Lucy Mahuika.
Moutere 3: Pens: Maddison Reid.