Nelson College hit top form ahead of playoffs

Nelson College has sent an ominous message to its rivals during the side's last appearance at home ahead of the Miles Toyota Championship semi finals in two weeks' time.

Nelson ran in 13 tries against Mid-Canterbury in a dominant display to secure home advantage for the playoffs.

However, captain Ollie Inch says they are not getting ahead of themselves.

"We are gearing up for it but we are taking it one game at a time, we will get through next week and then start preparing for the semi final."

With a 45-5 halftime scoreline, coach Jono Phillips took the opportunity to give some of the wider squad members plenty of minutes.

"We had a few boys getting caps today so it was awesome for them to get a bit of game time and really proud of how they fronted today," says Ollie.

The win leaves Nelson in second place, four points clear of Timaru and four shy of St Bedes.

Nelson was without one of its strike weapons in Nic Sauira who was sidelined with a torn hamstring while regular second five Reegan Lawton was resting after a head knock.

Tuterangi Stone-Williams and Timoci Sauira each bagged hat-tricks in stand out performances while Cooper Grant had a brilliant day with the boot.

It took just over a minute for the hosts to strike, Stone-Williams kicking off the scoring on the back of breaks by Luc Waterman-Thomas and Inch.

Mid Canterbury replied through number eight Isi Ula, the Nelson defence eventually buckling after several phases on its own line.

Some slick handling through the backs put Sauira over in the corner for Nelson’s second.

The winger went back-to-back from the restart after Grant broke out from inside his own half and sent Sauira away.

Nelson was running riot scoring its third consecutive try without a breakdown, this time Sauira was the creator, beautifully drawing the fullback to sent Hunter Leppien away for the bonus point after just 15 minutes.

Flanker Jake Burridge muscled his way over and then after a quiet start to the game, Netani Baleisomosomo exploded into action.

The Fijian burst through a hole on halfway and left a trail of defenders in his wake on the way to score a spectacular solo try.

Some superb interplay between fullback Matt Brice and Waterman-Thomas gave Nelson another right before half-time as they took an imperious 45-5 lead.

Lock Stone-Williams brought up the half century shortly after the break as Jacob Neha-Manihera slipped a deft offload after claiming a Grant cross kick.

Stone-Williams notched his hat-trick from close range as Nelson cleared its bench for the final twenty.

Brice was rewarded for his busy afternoon with a try before the fullback really got the chance to showcase his speed with a blistering run for a second.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came as prop Ben Lefale broke the line and stormed fourty metres upfield only to be brought down just short of the line.

The bust led to a third try for Sauira as Nelson entered the seventies.

Mid-Canterbury got themselves a late consolation, but Nelson responded immediately as Grant took his tally to 23 with his first try.

Angus Stewart had the last say for the visitors, scoring the 17th try in a highly entertaining contest.

Elsewhere, Waimea Combined picked up its third win of the season to move into 11th spot after defeating Lincoln 37-17 at Nayland College.

Next weekend Nelson travels south to take on the winless Roncalli while Waimea will end its seaosn at home against Shirley.

Scorers:

Nelson 83 (Stone-Williams 3, Sauira 3, Brice 2, Baleisomosomo, Waterman-Thomas, Leppien, Burridge, Grant, tries, Grant 9 cons)

Mid Canterbury 19 (Ula, Collins, Stewart, tries, Brown 2 cons)