Rugby: Marist goes to third after win

Marist flanker Ryan Gill dots down one of his side's eight tries, despite Ratana No 7 Dale Akuhata's attempt to hold it up at Spriggens Park on Saturday.

Marist moved into third on the Wanganui Premier Tasman Tanning rugby premiership table after and error-ridden 54-26 win over a young, but brave Ratana at Spriggens Park on Saturday.

While the Dave Hoskin Carriers-sponsored side was always going to win, it was far from convincing against a side that remains winless after six rounds.

Harvey Round Motors Ratana, however, did post its first points on the premiership table after scoring four tries, including doubles by nuggety little halfback and skipper Kane Tamou and fullback Onewa Tai. Three of the four tries were converted by fist-five Harerangi Meihana.

As the young developing Ratana side spent much of the match tackling when it wasn't threatening the advantage line and ultimately the Marist scoreline, the homeside was struggling to get their set pieces running smoothly.

Coach Jason Hamlin described the encounter as a "rubbish game", but there were excuses.

"We has eight of our main team missing, including key players Steelie Koro, Sean Brown and Perihi Huwyler who are away at the World Masters Games," Hamlin said.

"We also have others out injured, including Viki Tofa who has just come out of hospital."
That aside, Hamlin was still not happy with his side's performance even though many were playing out of their normal positions.

"There were way too many errors. It was a rubbish game and we certainly didn't help ourselves. We got five points and that's as many as we could get, so in that regard we got the job done. Apart from one other player out with a broken leg I expect to have a full squad to chose from next week," Hamlin said.

The errors were mainly dropped balls from push passes, knock-ons and offsides.
Marist scored eight tries, seven of which first-five Mitchell Millar converted. Simon Dibben, normally on the wing, looked comfortable at centre from where he scored two tries, while Nathan Puketapu did not enjoy the loneliness out on the wing. He made sure he got involved in the game, though and was rewarded with the first try of the game.

Marist scored four tries within a 12-minute spell in the first half and the Ratana pack looked done in and ready to fold. However, bouncing back and scoring points of their own gave the entire team a new lease on life.

Tamau at halfback was pivotal and his quick-thinking gave him his first of two tries. Tamau made a quick tap on the halfway chalk after Ratana received a penalty and sprinted untouched to dot down under the posts.

The bonus point would have been a good tonic for coach Vaan Rauhina, who was in hospital. Stand-in coach Cornel Mason said the side had performed well despite giving both age and size to their opponents.

"They are very much a developing side. I thing Ratana was a squad of about 28, but they are young and inexperienced. I thought they stood up well and fought back. Getting the bonus point would have been a good tonic for Vaan," Mason said.