The math is becoming clearer on who could get prime position on the Tasman Tanning Premier points table and both Dave Hoskin Carriers Marist and Waverley Harvesting Border are hunting those spots on Saturday at Spriggens Park.

Both have yet to win a game on the field in the 2025 season, however, they have been credited with victories in what is now a five-team competition.

The withdrawal of the Marton side due to lack of numbers after the opening weekend where they were beaten by Tāmata Hauhā Rātana has created byes for each remaining team in the draw.

However, they will be officially credited with a five point win and a positive points differential equal to what Rātana achieved in the sole Marton game, so that the team from the Pa remains credited for that performance while keeping all other factors equal.

Therefore, both Marist and Border want to get that first on-field win locked in, given Byfords Readi-Mix Taihape will pocket five points on their break this weekend, while the undefeated Wanganui Car Centre Kaierau travel to the Pa to meet Rātana in what should be an absolutely barnstorming Barracks Challenge Shield match due to the talent in both backlines.

Marist and Border have lost to Kaierau, with the former narrowly beaten by Taihape and the latter giving up a big lead to have to settle for a draw with Rātana.

The other big incentive for this game is the inter-club Jake Alabaster Memorial Shield, named for the young utility forward who played for both clubs before passing away in 2017, aged 24.

Since its introduction in 2018, Marist have held the Shield only twice, the last time being when they defeated Border in the first round of games in the 2019 season, 27-25. 

There have been chances – none better than the first round games last year when a very understrength Marist travelled to Dallison Park and played above themselves, before Border first-five Tyrone Albert slotted a penalty with less than one minute left for a 32-29 win.

Border reasserted their dominance with a 33-7 win in the second round matchup at Spriggens.

Their veterans like redoubtable prop Renato Tikoisolomone, outside back Tom Symes and lock Jack Hodges are the surviving front line players from the last era where Marist could beat Border semi-regularly, before the Waverley club started their magnificent five-straight championship run.

Star midfielder Alekesio Vakarorogo was injured for the  Rātana game, but Border have been well-served by their other Fijian backs Silio Waqalevu and Rusiate Lalanabaravi – the latter doing some awesome offloads to set up winger tries.

Marist have very few front-liners left from the 2018-19 seasons, their success hinges on the efforts of play-makers Daniel Kauika and Wiremu Morgan, and a strong loose-forward trio in Samu Kubunavanua, Brett Joyes and Jayden Lower.

Draw

May 10th, 2.35 pm kickoff

Marist vs Border, Spriggens Park; Rātana vs Kaierau, Rātana Pa (Challenge Shield).
 

By Jared Smith