Waverley Harvesting Border now have a clear gap on an increasingly congested Tasman Tanning Premier table after a strong first half carried them to a 30-21 win over Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau on Saturday.

Stung after losing the Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield to Byford Readimix Taihape, but reinforced with the return of influential representative halfback Lindsay Horrocks, Border opened the scoring at Dallison Park with a penalty by first-five Tyrone Albert.

Border’s strike weapons all delivered, beating tacklers to run in three first half tries through midfielders Timoci Seruwalu and Alekesio Vakarorogo, along with powerful No8 Josefa Namosimalua.

Albert slotted two conversions as it appeared the top of the table clash might be a blowout with the home side taking a 22-0 advantage into halftime.

But Kaierau lifted in the second half, starting with winger Penianai Saumaki taking a long pass to step back inside tacklers to score, with second-first Ethan Robinson slotting the extras.

Border replied with a try only Horrocks could score – from an attacking ruck right at the corner flag with Kaierau aggressively cleaning out bodies, the Steelform Whanganui centenarian glanced off to his ball- runners, but then snatch the ball to dive straight over the top of the heap for 27-7.

Saumaki then scored a stunning reply try when a low Border clearing kick coming out of their half bounced off his head, as nearby players paused believing a knock on had occurred.

But given the referee’s all clear, the winger picked it up and dashed 55m under the posts.

Kaierau followed up swiftly as from an attacking play near the 22m, lock Josh Lane linked with Robinson to put Saumaki free down the touchline for his hat-trick – with Robinson slotting a great sideline conversion for 27-21.

Border kept their cool, and getting a penalty with less than seven minutes left, handed it to Albert to put them back out to a 10-point buffer.

Robinson had a long range penalty attempt to secure a bonus point, but was away, and then with time up on the clock Kaierau had two more chances from much-closer, with the quandary of whether to slot the kick or have a crack at a fourth try for two bonus points.

Kaierau rolled the dice and came up snake-eyes, getting trapped in the ruck right at the line and departing Waverley with no consolation for their efforts.

Back at Spriggens Park, the Challenge Shield tenure of Taihape continued but only just, following another thriller with Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist, finishing with an 18-18 stalemate.

Both teams took two competition points from the arm-wrestle, with Taihape staying third and Marist entering the Top 4 by leapfrogging Marton - but on a much tighter table with just a four point spread from third to sixth.

Marist took a 15-8 lead into halftime after tries from their midfielders Jamie Robertson and Akiwa Koro, while Daniel Kauika was back at halfback to slot one conversion and a penalty.

Taihape, already injury hit, were further stung when they lost first-five Chad Whale, with halfback Kahl Elers-Green taking on the kicking responsibilities.

They only trailed 18-15 late in the piece as winger Ryan Karatau and promising flanker Sam Reeves scored, with Elers-Green adding a conversion and penalty, but Kauika’s second penalty had it looking like the Shield would change hands twice in as many games.

But unlike Border before them, when Taihape received a kickable penalty with five minutes left, they opted to make the Shield safe before trying for the win, as Elers-Green locked up the scores.

Both sides had chances in the final moments, but the deadlock remained, signalling this could be an intriguing second round of Premier fixtures.

There is now a clear ‘Big Three’ in the WRFU Senior competition, as table leaders Utiku Old Boys defended the Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield and gained a measure of revenge for last year’s grand final loss – travelling to Spriggens Park and picking up a big 38-12 win over Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic.

McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu rebounded from narrow Shield loss to Utiku by defending their Rochfort Park home turf against Kelso Hunterville with a rugged 14-5 win, leapfrogging their opposition back to third place.

Having given up the table lead to Utiku, purely by a missed bonus point, Forest 360 Marist Knights kept their undefeated streak going with an impressive 57-12 win over Tāmata Hauhā Rātana Brotherhood in the Pa.

One team was always going to break their 2024 duck at Dallison Park, and it was the visitors McCrea Scanning Counties, who defeated home side Border 30-12.

After a tough run of losses themselves, Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau took advantage of a red card to secure a 13-5 win over Bennett’s Taihape at the Country Club.

And Black Bull Liquor Pirates continued their big climb up the ladder with a 45-10 win over JJ Walters Asphalt Marton at Marton Park.

By Jared Smith

Results - Tasman Tanning Premier, Week 6

Border 30 (Timoci Seruwalu, Alekesio Vakarorogo, Josefa Namosimalua, Lindsay Horrocks tries; Tyrone Albert 2 pen , 2 con) bt Kaierau 21 (Penianai Saumaki 3 tries; Ethan Robinson 3 con). HT: 22-0.

Whanganui Rugby Challenge Shield – Taihape 18 (Ryan Karatau, Sam Reeves tries; Kahl Elers-Green 2 pen, con) drew with Marist 18 (Jamie Robertson, Akiwa Koro tries; Daniel Kauika 2 pen, con). HT: 15-8 Marist.

Rātana 28 (Brett Joyce, Riley Peraka, Mitai Hemi tries; Rehimana Meihana 3 pen, 2 con) bt Marton 10 (Fale Telea Lote try; Elijah Ah Chong pen, Lote con). HT: 16-3.

Premier MVP Top 5 (halfway point)

1. Dakuitoga Natuquata (Marton) 11 points; 2=. Peter-Travis Hay-Horton (Taihape) 9; 2=. Tyrone Albert (Border) 9; 3=. Jamie Hughes (Rātana) 8; 3=. Alesana Tofa (Marist) 8; 3=. Jamie Robertson (Marist) 8.
 

Senior Championship, Week 6

Spriggens Park (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield): Utiku Old Boys bt Ali Arc Logistics Marist Celtic 38-12. HT: 12-7.

Dallison Park: McCrea Scanning Counties bt Border 30-12. HT: 15-0.

Rochfort Park: McCarthy’s Transport Ruapehu bt Kelso Hunterville 14-5.

Marton Park: Black Bull Liquor Pirates bt JJ Walters Asphalt Marton 45-10. HT: 24-5.

Rātana Pa: Forest 360 Marist Knights bt Tāmata Hauhā Rātana Brotherhood 57-12. HT: 24-0.

Kaierau Country Club: Gemini Pepper Construction Kaierau bt Bennett’s Taihape 13-5. HT: 7-0.

Women

Kaierau Country Club: Byfords Construction Taihape bt Speedy Signs Kaierau 34-24.

Marton Park: Silks Audit Rātana bt Marton Queenbeez 49-10.