Marist win Trafalgar derby
Luke Kilworth's 22 points were game defining as he scored two tries for his side in their win over Nelson. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.
A late push by Marist saw them topple a defiant Nelson in the battle for Trafalgar Park supremacy on Saturday.
In other results from the region, Stoke return home with the John Goodman Trophy after beating Kahurangi 27-31, while Waimea Old Boys suffered against a resurgent Central in a 43-14 loss.
Marist’s women were also in the win column with a 40-12 victory over Waimea Old Boys as half back Lucy Mahuika put 25 points on the board herself, while Kahraungi defaulted to Moutere in the other premier women’s game.
Meanwhile, in first XV rugby, Nelson College remain unbeaten with a 55-12 win over Selwyn Combined and Waimea Barbarians came out trumps over St Bede’s second XV 32-20.
The 47-19 win for Marist rights their ship after some bitter losses, but wasn’t a perfect game for the title contenders as Nelson turned up to the party..
The two sides traded two tries apiece through the opening 20 minutes to be even on the scoreboard before a Luke Kilworth penalty and then self-converted try gave Marist their first real advantage of the game.
A try to hooker Dylan Irvine put Marist further in front, but Nelson would score on the stroke of half time to stay in the game down by eight points, 26-19.
The second half started slowly, with both teams having chances but not being able to put points on the board before Luke stopped the drought with first a penalty, and then his second try of the game.
Another try to reserve Richard Tau'alupe sealed the game in the dying minutes, before lock Netani Baleisomosomo stormed away to score one of his own from an intercept on the stroke of full time.
With Marist significantly ahead, they let Con Barrel take the conversion to end the game.
Right out in front, Con shanked his kick right of the posts after making just his second appearance since retiring from the competitive game in 2002.