Marlborough finish season on high

7.00pm

Marlborough finished off their rugby season in style today, scoring seven tries in a 50-22 win over Thames Valley in Paeroa.

They took full advantage of Thames Valley's mistake-ridden game to claim a bonus point for scoring a minimum of four tries to end their NPC second division campaign on a high note.

Thames went into the match holding the last spot in the division and without hope of avoiding relegation to the third division next season.

Marlborough, however, regained some respect with the big win.

The home side failed to capitalise on their 75 percent territorial advantage today because of the high number of errors they committed.

The lost control of the ball consistently and their handling and tackling skills were woeful.

All of Marlborough's seven tries resulted from those Thames' errors.

Centre Hayden Pedersen scored three tries after using his speed to support fullback Sam Gibbons and first five-eighth Eddie Hekenui.

Marlborough led 29-10 at halftime.

While their forwards, well-led by locks Stu Campbell and Troy Looms and No 8 Laurie McGlone, struggled to contain the opposition pack, their backs were quick to turn mistakes into points.

Thames hooker Roger Wilton, playing in 100th game for his province, led by example with good support from prop Api Apelu. Halfback Kyle O'Brien was the best of their backs.

Marlborough 50 (Hayden Pedersen 3, Moni Toleafoa, Onolevu Temo, Eddie Hekenui, George Love tries; Hekenui pen, 6 con)

Thames Valley 22 (Kyle O'Brien, Roger Wilton, Steven Hill tries; Terri Rahui pen, 2 con).

Halftime 29-10.

- NZPA