United succumbed to the step up in intensity as no other batsmen scored more than six runs, with the last four departing without troubling the scorers.
They were all out for 144 when a target over 250 would be the only competitive total on an excellent wicket.
United had some hope when Walker bowled Marist opener Ryan Fleming in the second over, but the experienced Dean Robinson (59 not out) just guided his team through in partnership with Matt Sim (42).
By the time Sim was dismissed, caught behind by wicketkeeper Matthew Boswell off of Lance, Marist were on 89-2 after 18 overs and it only took Sam Fastier to stroke a brisk 28 not out from 20 balls to see them home before the end of 25 overs.
Speaking yesterday, Hobbs said Taranaki's club cricket would be amongst the strongest in Central Districts if not the whole country.
"I just hope, [with Whanganui] playing in this Coastal Challenge Cup competition now, that the standards lift.
"The guys had a good time but they didn't get enough runs. The [Lance, Smith] partnership was key to go on, but they didn't follow up. It's good to have Tom back but we didn't stay with it."
Usually the powerhouse club in Whanganui Premier 1, United have been a little disappointing by their standards after comfortably winning the December local knockout tournament to reach the National Zonal Qualifier.
They missed out on the semifinals of the Coastal Challenge Cup, while at the same time St John's Tech surprised as the only Whanganui team in the top four and now have won through to the grand final on February 6.
Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens remain undefeated in the combined Whanganui Twenty20 competition.
Hobbs said United will now have to reapply themselves for the Premier 1 two-day competition, which will be played on the final weekends of the summer.
