NPC: Unbeaten Lions stay top
Wellington continue to be the dominant force in this year's NPC, holding off a staunch challenge from Waikato to win 19-14 in Hamilton.
The Lions led 14-8 at half-time after a patient first spell, and played just a third of the half down their attacking end of the field.
The visitors were forced to keep at bay a hard-fought fightback from Waikato, which saw them get within three points of Wellington early in the second half.
The win continues Wellington's unbeaten season, and puts them seven points clear at the top of the Premiership (first division) ladder.
* Meanwhile Tasman flyhalf Marty Banks has scored all his side's points in the Makos 28-13 NPC win over Northland in Whangarei.
Banks scored seven penalty goals and converted his own try to power the Makos ahead of Northland, after leading by just two points at the half-time break.
Northland stayed within reach of Tasman right through until midway through the second half, when let down by turnovers and handing over possession.
The win further consolidates Tasman's dominant lead at the top of the NPC Championship (second division), whereas Northland remains at the bottom after suffering their fourth straight defeat.
* Southland's celebrated Jamie Mackintosh's 100th game for the province.
The Stags have two late tries to beat Otago 38-32 in an entertaining NPC in Dunedin.
The sides had exchanged tries in the second-half after Otago had led 20-11 at halftime.
Mackintosh says the result caps off his day.
"We played some really good footy there towards the end, score the points and then defended like our lives depended on it, got away with the win I couldn't be more happy it's a really, really satisfying day."
Willis Halohalo, Cardiff Vaega, Elliott Dixon, Scott Eade and Tayler Adams scored tries for Southland, while Hayden Parker, Kieran Moffat and Buxton Popoalii (two) dotted down for Otago.
Southland's now second on the championship ladder, two points behind Tasman, while Otago remain fourth, behind Hawke's Bay on points differential.
All This week's scores and scorers:
Auckland 39-19 Canterbury
Scorers:
Auckland:
Tries: Hickey, Visinia, Sauileoge, Pryor, Moala
Cons: Hickey 4
Pens: Hickey 2
Canterbury:
Tries: Osborne, Thompson 2
Cons: Mo'unga 2
Manawatu 12-6 Taranaki
Scorers:
Manawatu:
Pens: Te Rure 4
Taranaki:
Pen: Taylor 2
Otago 32-38 Southland
Scorers:
Otago:
Tries: Popoali'i 2, Parker, Moffat
Cons: Parker 3
Pens: Parker 2
Southland:
Tries: Halaholo, Vaeaga, Dixon, Adams, Eade
Cons: Eade 2
Pens: McKenzie, Eade 2
Waikato 14-19 Wellington
Scorers:
Waikato:
Try: Tameifuna
Pens: Renata 3
Wellington:
Tries: Savea, Fa'atau, Hill
Cons: Sopoaga 2
Northland 13-28 Tasman
Scorers:
Northland:
Try: Wright
Con: Hawkins
Pens: Hawkins 2
Tasman:
Try: Banks
Con: Banks
Pens: Banks 7
Canterbury 72-7 Manawatu
Scorers:
Canterbury:
Tries: Keresoma 4, Ellis, Mo'unga, Faletau, McNicholl, Crotty, Fa'anunu
Cons: Mo'unga 8
Pens: Mo'unga 2
Manawatu:
Try: Eves
Con: George
Sources: Newstalk ZB & NZ Newswire
