Marist beat Greytown in thriller

Maybe it was the feast of international rugby on the telly that kept people away, but for footy faithful that did get along to Wairarapa-Bush headquarters in Masterton this afternoon they were treated to a thriller.

In a match where the lead changed several times, it was only in the final play that Marist and Greytown could be separated.

With time up on the clock, Marist skipper James Goodger calmly slotted the match winning penalty toppling the defending champions 35-32.

Only moments before, Greytown’s Abe Southey had the chance to put the visitors in front, missing a conversion from wide out.

With their season hanging in the balance, the result was crucial for Marist, as is the four-try bonus point they picked up.

Goodger was superb. Last season’s club Player of the Year, the mobile second rower’s work rate was immense. The players around him fed off his energy, and when he dug deep, so did they.

Despite scoring four tries to three, Marist had to defend more than they attacked, but refused to surrender. But, notably, they had a much more enterprising back-line, with pace and strength that regularly punched holes in the Greytown defence. The back three of Malatai brothers Soli and Malatai on the wing and full back Pua Tafa were red hot.

Second-five eighth Leo Eneliko burst the game into life with a punishing run to set up centre Rowan Couch for the opening try. His opposite, Raymond Oklay, responded ten minute later with an equally impressive try. Southey slotted his third penalty a short time later and then added a five-pointer of his own to blow Greytown out to a 21-7 lead.

But Marist were quick to reel them in, albeit with a degree of good fortune. A kick over the top sat up nicely for Couch to score his second, and then Southey gaffed a high ball to gift Soli Malatai an easy try. Southey redeemed himself a little just before half time with another penalty kick to send Greytown to the break 24-19.

A fifth penalty from Southey and two from Goodger had Marist trailing by three-points midway through the second half, until a moment of Pua Tafa magic put the home team ahead. On the counter attack Tafa send through a superbly weighted kick for a flying Soli Malatai to gather-in and set sail for the try line.

With plenty of time still to play Greytown threw everything at Marist and were eventually rewarded just a couple of minutes from the end. Unable to breach the Marist defence in close quarters, first-five eighth Kingi Kaiwai chipped across field to the unmarked AJ Manley who finished off out-wide. Southey was unable to convert and then from the kick-off Greytown looked to keep the ball in play but were pinged and Goodger stepped up to finish off.

In other matches, Gladstone has stretched their lead at the top of the table beating Marintborough 20-16, Eketahuna downed Carterton 41-27, while East Coast upset Pioneer 22-15.