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Lions maul Turbos

NPC, SUNDAY WRAP: The Wellington Lions have poured salt into what has been a disappointing season for the Manawatu Turbos so far with a thumping 49-7 win in Palmerston North.

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Meanwhile, In a classic game of two halves, the Tasman Mako rose to second on the Premiership table after a remarkable 21-19 win over the Counties Manukau Steelers in Nelson.

Manawatu 7-49 Wellington

It was a completely dominant display from the Lions with the only worry being the goal kicking with just two of the nine tries converted.

Although the usually reliable boot of Jackson Garden-Bachop was off key, the rest of his performance was on point as he expertly guided the Lions around the park and picked the right moments to spark his exciting backline.

As they have done all season, the platform was laid up front by the Lions and it was skipper Thomas Waldrom who opened the scoring in the fifth minute to bag his first try since returning to New Zealand from a decade-long stint in the UK.

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Wellington enjoyed a remarkable 93 percent of possession in the opening 10 minutes and bagged a second try to Mateaki Kafatolu to take a 10-0 lead in just as many minutes.

A well-worked try to Thomas Umaga-Jensen was followed by a long range effort by Ben Lam before James Blackwell went over from a training ground line-out move to finish the first half.

The Wellington pack again benefited early in the second half with hooker Asafo Aumua and lock Isaia Walker-Leaware scoring to make it 37-0.

Turbos fans had one moment to cheer in the 68th minute when replacement No.8 Brice Henderson barged over following a steady forward drive towards the Lions line.

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But that was to be it for the Turbos as the Lions grabbed two quick tries in the closing moments to secure the bonus point 49-7 victory.

The Lions are now equal third with Canterbury on the Premiership ladder while Manawatu are languishing at second to last in the Championship on just five points.

The scorers:

For Manawatu:
Try: Brice Henderson
Con: Sam Malcolm

For Wellington :
Tries: Thomas Waldrom, Mateaki Kafatolu, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Ben Lam 2, James Blackwell, Asafo Aumua, Isaia Walker-Leaware, Peter Umaga-Jensen
Cons: Trent Renata 2

Tasman 21-19 Counties Manukau

The first spell saw the Mako race to a 14-0 lead, which should have been considerably more had they taken more care with the last pass, and then 21-0 five minutes into the second stanza.

Led by men such as Wyatt Crockett – who took the three points for the Duane Monkley Medal – Ethan Blackadder, Quinten Strange, Levi Aumua, Finlay Christie and the metre eater Will Jordan at fullback, the Mako looked hard to peg in the early exchanges, but lacked the finishing touches.

No.8 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta burst off a scrum to score and open the Mako account, while Crockett finished off one of several breaks by Jordan.

The Steelers were barely hanging on, flat on attack, porous on defence and unable to involve Etene Nanai-Seturo, in his first start at fullback. The Mako scrum was dominant, and it looked for all the world as if the floodgates were creaking open.

When Jordan ran a nice angle off a short ball by Mitch Hunt, the Mako faithful must have been thinking of the bonus point. But the next try never came.

Instead, the Steelers found a second wind, received good purchase off their bench and started to win and hold much of the ball. Sione Molia scored with his first touch off a turnover, and then the admirable Joe Royal dived over from a lineout drove, which seems to be the prime scoring option now for hookers.

When wing Tevita Nabura finished a try in fine style off a Liam Daniela break with just three minutes to play, Steelers supporters were dreaming of a miracle denouement. But Lu Laulala, who was top value, pushed the wide-angled conversion wide.

The visitors had shown their wares in the last quarter, but will again rue such a slow start. They remain in sixth position on the Premiership ladder.

Tasman travels to Wellington next Saturday night, while the Steelers host Northland next Sunday in Pukekohe.

The scorers:

For Tasman:
Tries: Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Wyatt Crockett, Will Jordan
Cons: Mitch Hunt 3

For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Sione Molia, Joe Royal, Tevita Nabura
Cons: Luteru Laulala 2

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