Marist first off rank in Premier restart

Marist's Sam Monaghan scores one of his hatrick of tries in the win over Ngamatapouri at Spriggens Park on Saturday.

Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist lead the Tasman Tanning Premier table after getting the only four-try bonus point in the opening round with a clear cut 36-10 win over Settler's Honey Ngamatapouri at Spriggens Park on Saturday.

Ngamatapouri had come into town last week to face Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau in a preseason match after the original first round fixtures were cancelled, but on their return they struggled to stay in contention as Marist led 22-0 at the break.

It was a welcome return for Sam Monaghan after his gap year from rugby, scoring a hat trick of tries and adding a further 11 points with the boot.

Ngamatapouri did score twice in the second half through their speedsters Samu Kubunavanua and Jessie Kemp, but Marist matched them with two more seven pointers.

An understrength Waverley Harvesting Border had to surrender the Grand Hotel Challenge Shield in their first defence of 2018, with Black Bull Liquor Pirates holding on for a 22-17 win at Dallison Park.

With the home side missing their representative props, Pirates had an advantage up front with Raymond Salu, and extended Steelform Wanganui squad member during last year's preseason games, scoring two tries.

Backs Ricky Boniface and Soonalote Tauailoto also crossed before halftime, while Border replied through representative players Kaveni Dabenaise and Grayson Tihema.

Nick Harding, again switching immediately between cricket and rugby, kicked the only points of the second half with a penalty for Border.

At Rochfort Park, defending champions McCarthy's Transport Ruapehu got their campaign off on the right foot with a 15-5 over Kaierau.

With weather conditions fairly good, the match was still a tight tussle, with new Ruapehu playmaker Mitchell Millar kicking the only points of the first half.

Outside backs George Williams and Shaquille Waara scored second half tries, with Kaierau hooker Joe Edwards getting his team's try.

Kaierau are having to do without the significant talents of NZ Heartland Under 19 players Dylan Bowater, who is taking the season off to recover from a bad head knock last September, and Ethan Robinson, who could be out for months after injuring his shoulder against Ngamatapouri last weekend.

Kaierau's Cade Robinson comes into the tackle of Ruapehu's Mitchell Millar during Ruapehu's win in Ohakune on Saturday. Photo by Merrilyn George.

In Senior rugby, it was an important day for Utiku Old Boys, who have pulled together a squad after their 11th hour withdrawal from Premier, and the Matt Gilbert-coached side will be encouraged after they came from behind in the dying minutes to beat Memorial Park neighbours Taihape 22-21.

Utiku drove over the chalk from a tryline ruck with time nearly up, with the conversion taking them to the front.

In the Marist derby game at Spriggens Park, Celtic came from behind at halftime to beat Buffalo's 34-17 for their second bonus point win.

However, Counties still sits on top of the table via points differential as for the second weekend they held their opposition scoreless, beating Ruapehu 22-0 in Ohakune.

Defending champions Speirs Food Marton rebounded from their surprise Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield loss last weekend to beat Kaierau 27-7 at the Country Club.

Shield holders Border continued their impressive start with a 53-10 hammering of Pirates in Waverley.

Results, March 24

Tasman Tanning Premier, Round 1
Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist 36 (Sam Monaghan 3, Kayden Shedlock, Kane Alabaster tries; Monaghan pen, 4 con) bt Settlers Honey Ngamatapouri 10 (Samu Kubunavanua, Jessie Kemp tries). HT: 22-0.

Grand Hotel Challenge Shield – Black Bull Liquor Pirates 22 (Raymond Salu 2, Ricky Boniface tries, Soonalote Tauailoto pen, 2 con) bt Waverley Harvesting Border 17 (Kaveni Dabenaise, Grayson Tihema tries; Nick Harding pen, 2 con). HT: 22-14.

McCarthy Transport Ruapehu 15 (George Williams, Shaquille Waara tries; Mitchell Millar pen, con) bt Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau 5 (Joe Edwards try). HT: 3-0.

Whenuaroa Shield – PGG Wrightson-Balance Taihape 21 (Bo Walker, Dane Whale, Adam Eramiha tries; Whale 2 pen), Harvey Round Motors Ratana 10 (Shade Tuaine-Whanau, Marius Joseph tries). HT: 10-10.

Senior Championship, Round 2
At Spriggens Park: Celtic bt Buffalo's 34-17. HT: 12-7 Buffalo's.

At Dallison Park (Stihl Shop Wanganui Challenge Shield): Border bt Pirates 53-10. HT: 20-0.

At Kaierau: Speirs Food Marton bt Kaierau 27-7. HT: 15-7.

At Memorial Park: Utiku OB bt Taihape 22-21. HT: 14-10 Taihape.

At Rochfort Park: Counties bt Ruapehu 22-0. HT: 7-0.

Bye: Kelso Hunterville.