The Shane Rufer-coached Marist almost did the unthinkable in the 55th minute but, fortunately, an army of blue shirts got in the way of a crisp finish during the melee in front of the goal mouth.
In the 61st minute, striker Michael Sheridan had a chance to break the deadlock but, with Jamie Lambe unmarked on his right shoulder, Sheridan drove the ball into the defenders.
However, it was Kilkolly who struck two minutes later, 1-0, on the other end when he received a deft drop from the top of the box from Willox near the left upright to slip the ball into the net to spark off long-overdue celebrations.
The floodgates opened when, in the 65th minute, Yexley, as he didearly in the first half, made a surging run down the right flank to cut the ball across to find Kilkolly on the far upright to make it 2-0.
Stevenson, with all the time in the world and cool as a cucumber, drove the ball into the net from an oblique angle from inside the box on the right flank in the 75th minute to put the hosts up 3-0.
Willox, who had a solid presence in the engine room, clipped the inside right upright in the 83rd minute with the keeper beaten but, to the dismay of Blues faithful celebrating prematurely, the ball glanced across the face of the goal mouth for keeper Luke to retrieve safely.
It was mentally a good thing for coach Bill Robertson and his assistant Stu James before they host Wairarapa United in round three of the Chatham Cup (national knockout) campaign next Sunday here.
The second-placed Wairarapa are the Rovers' only other threat this winter, after leaders Western Suburb.
It was national volunteer week so Sport Hawke's Bay sports capability manager Tina Haslett, amid accolades, today saluted stalwart Malcolm Wilson who received a gift bundle on the recommendation of club chairman Phil Doran.
Wilson, who also is ground announcer during winter, saved the club more than $2700 in doing some repair and refurbishment to the corporate boxes and media booth after the weather damage following last month's flooding, Haslett said.
"There's a group of us and we're all retired," said Wilson who has dedicated close to 40 years to the club and whose wife Jill still serves as club secretary. Their sons, Stu and Danny, are still playing in the top two divisions.
The 67-year-old, who has coached players at myriad levels and also served as team manager up to the flagship Blues team, is the club captain.
His repair job, with a loyal club working bee, included fitting 20m-plus external metal flashing along windows using a ladder.
Wet carpet was pulled, floor painted in five rooms to ensure they were ready for entertaining VIP guests.
