Match Report: Carterton v Marist – 9 July 2022
Carterton v Marist – 9th July 2022
Carterton 22 (Fiula Tameilau, Sam Morison, Aseri Waqa (2) tries; Waqa conversion) Marist 27.
Carterton finished second in the Moose Kapene Memorial Cup round robin and qualified for a home semi-final after a narrow loss to Marist in strong winds at Belvedere Road.
The home team immediately showed its intention to play the game at pace by running in three tries in the first 15 minutes. Left wing Fiula Tameilau scored after an attacking lineout in the second minute, Sam Morison doubled the lead after eight minutes when he was given a clear run to the line by a superb offload from Inia Katia, then Aseri Waqa scored a brilliant solo try in the 16th minute when he weaved his way to the corner after a mazy run of 50-plus metres. Unfortunately none were converted in the tricky, swirling wind conditions, but Carterton looked good at 15-0.
This proved to be the high point for Carterton as Marist responded with three tries of its own before half time, and with two conversions kicked the visitors led 19-15 at the break.
The second half was less eventful with Marist successfully pinning Carterton in its own half by adopting a territory-based game plan which suited the conditions well. A Marist try after 63 minutes and penalty goal on 69 minutes extended their lead to 27-15, before Carterton finally responded after 76 minutes when a counterattack down the right wing saw Waqa sprint clear for a second long-range try which he also converted at the second attempt.
Marist won deservedly after a slow start: they were more successful at clearing the ball from defensive positions and adapted their game plan better to suit the weather. However Carterton’s final try with just four minutes remaining secured the vital two bonus points needed to qualify for a repeat of the 2021 home semi-final against Gladstone.
Aseri Waqa was again Carterton’s outstanding player despite some handling woes, his two outstanding tries backed up by several instances of try-saving defence at the other end. Taka Toamotu made a strong second-half impact in the midfield and Inia Katia showed flashes of brilliance. Blindside Logan Wakefield enjoyed a storming first half before being forced from the field injured after 30 minutes, Jack Loader fought hard to reach the gain line throughout, while prop Tupou Lea’aemanu was prominent with ball in hand in the first half.
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3-2-1
1 point – Gus McKinnon
2 points – Brandon Wright
3 points – Aseri Waqa
Heming Family Supporters’ Vote – Daryl Pickering