The defending champions are back in business. Excelsior rebounded from back-to-back defeats to claim bragging rights in the battle of the carpark with a 26-17 win over Athletic Marist last weekend. While Athies dominated territory and possession early, Blues got on the board first against the run of play. Excelsior were pinned deep in their own 22m when Oli Knopp shot forward on defence and snagged an intercept that he took 80m to score under the sticks. Blues’ second try also came against the run of play. Tyron Davies spied a gap behind the Athies defence and stabbed a kick into the left-hand corner. The ball rolled into the in-goal area and Tuks Kaukinaivalu beat the retreating defenders to it and scored. Late in the first half, Athies were finally able to string some phases together. They found themselves in the Excelsior 22m and their forwards chipped away with carry after carry, before Junior Fakatoufifita crashed over to cut the lead to seven heading into the sheds.…