Tasman topple Canterbury
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Tasman heaped further frustration on Canterbury when claiming a first NPC Cup win in Christchurch 38-10 to go to the head of the table.
That made it three losses in a row for Canterbury and left them vulnerable to losing a home semifinal in the defence of the six NPC Cups they have won in successive seasons.
Canterbury played nervously, especially when unable to capitalise on their territorial dominance in the first quarter and Tasman pounced.
With hardmen prop Ross Geldenhuys, lock Joe Wheeler and lively hooker Quentin MacDonald setting the scene, and old warhorse Jimmy Cowan chiming at scrumhalf, Tasman bided their time before unleashing their scoring sting with deadly effect.
A smother defence policy was maintained throughout the game and when Canterbury were forced to throw caution to the wind, the defence created the chance for an intercept which flyhalf Marty Banks needed no second invitation to take.
He ended with 16 points to take his season's total to 143.
Meanwhile, the Bay of Plenty Steamers have saved the best for last, with a lively 33-16 victory over Otago at Tauranga in an emotional occasion for the home team.
With the local community still coming to terms with the continued failure to find young Jack Dixon, a moment’s silence was observed at the beginning of the match in what was a moving gesture.
Afterwards the players admitted that the residents of the region “had been doing it tough” and were happy to give the fans something to cheer about.
And cheer they did.
Finally, Counties Manukau have defeated a stoic Southland 24-10 in cold and windy conditions at Rugby Park in Invercargill in an entertaining affair.
The Steelers struggled to get into the match early, but when they shelved their kicking game and upped the cadence with the ball in hand, they looked lethal and scored 19 points in the last half hour to take the game.
The victory is a crucial one for Tana Umaga’s men, for while other results still need to go their way, their mathematical chances of reaching the NPC Cup Premiership semifinals remain.
As has become their trademark, a heavy dose of reinforcements helped turn the tide, as did that gem of a running attack that could make them a dark horse if the sneak into fourth spot at the end of the regular season.
Southland had moments of influence in the contest but couldn’t put together the sort of lead that is comfortable like a side like Counties.
The Stags forwards did plenty, able to keep the Steelers pinned in their own territory, but the absence of Lima Sopoaga did rob the home team of some offensive verve despite the efforts of young Jamie Verran.
Scores and scorers:
Canterbury 10-38 Tasman
Caterbury:
Try: Todd
Con: Mo'unga
Pen: Mo'unga
Tasman:
Tries: Havili, Lowe 2, Cowan, Banks
Cons: Banks 4, Guyton
Pen: Banks
Bay of Plenty 33-16 Otago
Bay of plenty:
Tries: Hollinshead 2, Royal, McGuigan, Van Dam
Cons: Hollinshead 4
Otago:
Try: Seiuli
Con: Parker
Pens: Parker 3
Counties 24-10 Southland
Counties:
Tries: Auva’a, Nanai-Williams, A Pulu, Taufua
Cons: Tuala 2
Southland:
Try: Milne
Con: Eade
Pen: Eade
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