Both Kelvin Hotel Marist and Pirates Old-Boys went into Thursday’s clash down on players with both sides suffering a number of injuries and unavailability’s over the past couple of weeks.

Marist started the better of the two when Jack Nally popped a nice offload up to Will Murray who bust the line and found Ben Fotheringham, who ran 20 metres to open the scoring.

Pirates Old-Boys were quick to reply when a Greg Dyer break was finished off by Mike Molloy to make it 7 all. Territory and possession from Pirates led them to exert plenty of pressure on the Marist scrum, which resulted in a penalty try to help take a 14-7 lead. A further three points gave them a handy 17-7 buffer.

Marist struck a much-needed blow just before halftime when number eight Pasilio Tosi, as he has done in glimpses all season, showed everyone what he is capable of when he sent multiple defenders flying out of the way to score a fine try handy to the posts. Jeremy “eyes” Boyle added the extras to take us to halftime, Marist 14 Pirates Old-Boys 17.

Marist again started well and got the reward when they crossed after a good build up to take a 21-17 lead. That was to be the last of Marist’s scoring though. Pirates Old-Boys bust Marist out wide and finished in style to take back the lead 22-21. A further three points from Greg Dyer’s boot took the score to 25-21. Marist had a chance in the final minutes of the match and got within five metres of the line however the ball was lost, and Pirates Old-Boys picked up a valuable win as they try to book a place in the semi-finals.

A losing bonus point ensured Marist are now guaranteed a top two finish and are on the same points as Woodlands in the competition standings with just two weeks left to play in the round robin.

Next weekend see’s Marist back at home against Star. AWS Legal Marist Development unfortunately had to default to Tokanui due to a lack of numbers on Saturday, however will be back on deck when they play at Miller Street against Riverton, kick off for that game is 1.30pm.

Article added: Wednesday 27 June 2018