VIDEOS: Tasman poked Canterbury bear

NPC WRAP, WEEK ONE: Did Tasman fire its best shot too early in the National Provincial Cup Premiership?

They poked the Canterbury bear with a 25-17 upset win in Blenheim in the opening round.

That will be the point to watch during the second week of competition as Canterbury face a tough home game against Wellington to regain their kilter.

Tasman will have the chance to build on their start when meeting Championship lightweights Southland in Blenheim.

WATCH: ALL THE ROUND ONE HIGHLIGHTS

Scores and scorers from Round One:

North Harbour 21 Northland 20

Northland demonstrated a level of intent that should have made Championship sides sit up and take note when almost pulling off an upset to start the season.

However, Shaun Stevenson, filling in at first five-eighths while Bryn Gatland was off for an HIA, and Tevita Li got things moving for the North Harbour. Halfback Jono Kitto looked good for Northland in scoring a try that threatened to steal the game, but Gatland had the final say with a 45 metres penalty goal.

Scorers:

For North Harbour:
Tries: Dillon Hunt, Tevita Li
Con: Bryn Hall
Pens: Bryn Gatland 3

For Northland:
Tries: Tom Robinson, Jono Kitto
Cons: Jack Debreczeni 2
Pens: Debreczeni 2

Tasman 25 Canterbury 17

Beaten finalists in 2017, Tasman turned it on against defending champions Canterbury by making their tackles count and by taking their chances with effect.

In spite of their efforts, Tasman led only 10-3 at the break but rattled Canterbury let their discipline slip and with Mitch Hunt calling the shots at first five-eighths, and giving wing Solomon Alaimalo good options, Tasman extended their lead with enough of a buffer to withstand two late tries to hooker Greg Pleasants-Tate.

Scorers:

For Tasman:
Tries: Levi Aumua, Quinten Strange, Solomon Alaimalo
Cons: Mitch Hunt 2
Pens: Hunt 2

For Canterbury:
Tries: Greg Pleasants-Tate 2
Cons: Brett Cameron 2
Pen: Cameron

Manawatu 24 Waikato 19

Starting at a fast rate of knots Waikato led 12-0 in next to no time but defensively Manawatu sorted themselves and finally got on the board just before half-time.

Their bench then helped them level the score at 19-19 with 15 minutes left and they secured the match winner courtesy of a fine team try to give themselves a lift before they contemplate a Ranfurly Shield challenge next week.

The Scorers:

For Manawatu:
Tries: Junior Laloifi 2, Faalelei Sione, Rob Thompson
Cons: Sam Malcolm 2

For Waikato:
Tries: Sevu Reece, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Declan O’Donnell
Cons: Fletcher Smith 2

Auckland 23 Counties Manukau 19

Counties Manukau took Auckland on up front with their pack while the home side looked to their attacking skills through the loose forwards and backs to keep the pressure on and claim a 20-14 half-time lead.

Three tries apiece were scored with Auckland’s goal-kicking making the difference. It was a measure of the tightness of the contest that Auckland scored only three points in the second half and Counties Manukau a try.

The Scorers:

For Auckland:
Tries: Salesi Rayasi, Blake Gibson, Melani Nanai
Con: Harry Plummer
Pens: Plummer 2

For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Kalolo Tuiloma, Sam Henwood, Howard Sililoto
Cons: Latiume Fosita 2

Bay of Plenty 30 Taranaki 10

The last time Bay of Plenty beat Taranaki in Rotorua was before the national provincial championship had started in 1975 and while their last win overall was in 2006 they hit the road running to make the early pace.

But while Taranaki struck back immediately, Bay of Plenty tightened up their game and put their tight forwards to use on the break. Sensing they had a chance to pressure Taranaki through the later stages, veteran five-eighths Mike Delany guided them home.

Scorers:

For Bay of Plenty:
Tries: Liam Polwart, Aaron Carroll, Kane Leaupepe.
Cons: Mike Delany 3
Pens: Delany 3

For Taranaki:
Try: Seta Tamanivalu
Con: Beaudein Waaka
Pen: Waaka

Wellington 34 Otago 16

Back in the premiership, Wellington made an outstanding start with Wes Goosen crossing twice in the first 10 minutes, courtesy of some good work by blindside flanker Vaea Fifita.

Just as Goosen had earlier, wing Malo Tuitama tied up the effort with two tries in the final quarter. Otago scored only one try, to Kurt Hammer, with Finn Strawbridge’s three penalty goals keeping them in touch until the last 20 minutes.

Scorers:

For Wellington:
Tries: Wes Goosen 2, Malo Tuitama 2
Cons: Jackson Garden-Bachop 4
Pens: Garden-Bachop con 2

For Otago:
Try: Kurt Hammer
Con: Sio Tomkinson
Pens: Finn Strawbridge 3

Southland 10 Hawke’s Bay 31

Putting their line-out maul into action Hawke’s Bay swamped Southland with four converted tries to sign and seal their win and to get a great start to their Championship campaign.

Southland, looking to get back on the winner’s board after a horrendous season last year without success, showed plenty of spirit but not enough incisiveness to trouble the visitors.

Scorers:

For Southland:
Try: Isaac Te Tamaki
Con: James Wilson
Pen: Wilson

For Hawke’s Bay:
Tries: Mark Braidwood, Josh Kaifa, Ash Dixon 2
Cons: Tiaan Falcon 4
Pen: Falcon

Source: mitre10cup.co.nz