Golden Bay Deserved Win

For the full 40 minutes of the first half of its game against Golden Bay-Motueka, Nelson looked, and was, a beaten side. Displaying tremendous purpose, the Bay forwards swept all before them in loose play and the high-flying Rob Wratt ensured that a much snappier backline was supplied with an abundance of clean ball. Nelson secured a fair amount of possession from set and tight play, but the incessant and aimless kicking of the inside backs wasted the energy of their forwards and the valuable possession they had gained. We don't know what coach Ron Horsley said to Nelson at half time, but we feel the words "less kicking" were used, for the second half told a different tale. The forwards were more mobile and the backs ran the ball, with encouraging results. And so, from being a beaten team down 13–3 at half time, Nelson turned on a sound second half to provide a thrilling finish. But Bays still won by 16 points to 14.