The Ultimate Weekend Regional Wrap-Up

NBS Nelson Giants Lock in Focus for Sunday Night Blockbuster

While basketball fans across the region were left waiting following the official postponement of the Giants’ away game against the Wellington Saints originally scheduled for Friday night, 26 June, all eyes now shift to tomorrow, Sunday 28 June. The NBS Nelson Giants will return to the hardwood at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson for a massive home clash against the formidable Auckland Tuatara. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:00 pm, with the team eager to carry forward the explosive form that saw Shane Gatling drop a 30-point performance to sink the Manawatū Jets 92–79. Doors open early for the Sky Broadband Rapid League curtain-raiser at 5:00 pm.

Trafalgar Park Semi-Finals Decided Under the LightsThe top-tier Men's Division 1 Tasman Trophy competition delivered high-stakes, uncompromising playoff rugby as the semi-finals played out at Trafalgar Park in Nelson:

Nelson vs. Waimea Old Boys: The Nelson club battled Richmond's primary powerhouse, Waimea Old Boys, under the Friday night lights in a gruelling, physical match that captivated traveling Waimea fans. Nelson won the thrilling Tasman Trophy semi-final match against Waimea Old Boys with a final score of 50–48. The high-stakes play-off took place on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Trafalgar Park. Nelson secured their spot in the grand final after sealing the victory with a dramatic last-minute try.

Key Match Plays
Early Winger Double-Injury: Just five minutes into the game, Nelson lost both starting wingers, Adam Schwass and Solo Gukirewa, forcing immediate tactical changes that ultimately led to Malaulau's match-defining shift to the wing.The Last-Minute Winner: After a relentless back-and-forth battle that saw the lead swing multiple times, Nelson sealed the 50–48 victory with a dramatic, clutch try in the very last minute of regular play to punch their ticket to the grand final.

Marist vs. Central (Blenheim): Regular-season table-toppers Marist took on the dangerous Central squad in the late-night slot to lock in the other half of the championship bracket. Marist decisively won the second semi-final against Central (Blenheim) with a final score of 36–7 The Grand Final: The surviving teams from these two brutal encounters have officially booked their spots in the Tasman Trophy Grand Final, which is set to kick off next Friday, 3 July at 7:30 pm.

Grassroots Drama Sweeps Division 2 Elimination Rounds Sudden-death knockouts across the Car Company Nelson Bays Division 2 brought a massive wave of pride and heartbreak to local community grounds on Saturday:

Brightwater (Centennial Park): Local Wanderers Division 2 supporters packed the boundary lines at the Brightwater Domain, but a highly disciplined Huia squad from Motueka executed perfectly under pressure to eliminate the hosts in a tight 27–23 nail-biter.

Takaka (The Battle of the Bay): The rural landscape of Golden Bay witnessed intense derby action at the Takaka Rugby Football Club. A relentless, come-from-behind second-half scoring surge by visitors Collingwood broke home hearts, stealing a narrow victory from Takaka right at the death. The "Battle of the Bay" local derby between Takaka and Collingwood ended in a 24–5 victory for Collingwood.

Wakefield (Quiet Fields):

No matches were scheduled for the Wakefield pitches, leaving the local sports community to travel out to support the neighbouring playoff battles in Brightwater.

Brightwater:

The playoff battle in Brightwater was a Nelson Bays Division 2 Top 6 Elimination Final between Wanderers Div 2 and Huia Div 2.

The high-stakes knockout match took place at the Brightwater Domain on Friday, June 26, 2026, featuring the 3rd-seeded Wanderers hosting the 6th-seeded Huia. In a hard-fought upset, Huia won the match with a final score of 27–23, ending the Wanderers' season and advancing Huia further into the playoff bracket.

RICHMOND - Waimea Women

Richmond (Jubilee Park): The match scheduled at Jubilee Park in Richmond on Friday, June 26, 2026, between Waimea Women and Kahurangi Women was unplayed because Kahurangi defaulted the game. As a result, Waimea Women were awarded the victory via forfeit.

Netball Action Sparks at Saxton Field and Football Goals Flow in MotuekaBeyond the rugby lines, the district's winter sports codes delivered stellar performances across Saturday:

Saxton Field Netball: Competitive winter rounds lit up the Nelson Netball Centre. In Collegiate Grade action, Nayland College Senior Maroon ground out a gritty 7–4 win over 9B Nayland College. Concurrently, Rai Valley Area School Gold put on a clinical display to defeat the Murchison Netball Club 17–8.
Motueka Football Showcase: On the football pitch, Flooring Xtra Motueka claimed an action-packed 6–3 victory over the Suburbs Sicarios. Clinical first-half goals from Ryan and Jimmy were brilliantly backed up by a quick-fire double from Jackson, before a late strike from Jonty firmly iced all 3 competition points.

Keep active, back your neighbourhood clubs, and have an exceptional weekend.

— From the sports desk at Pigeon Post News, Richmond, Tasman District.