Tasman finally open their account
Tasman earned their first win and first log points of the season when they edged out Hawke’s Bay 21-19 in a hard-fought National Provincial Championship match in Napier on Tuesday.
Tasman had to come from behind twice at Mclean Park in order to bring their four-match losing streak to an end with an Andrew Goodman conversion the only points that separated the teams after both sides had scored two tries and slotted three penalties.
Hawke’s Bay took a 14-11 lead into the half-time break thanks to a late try from Karl Lowe who was driven over from close quarters. Tasman wing Mitchell Scott had dotted down in the corner for the first try of the match earlier in the half but it was not enough for the half-time lead.
Replacement flank Adam Bradley peeled off an attacking scrum to extend Hawke’s Bay’s advantage in the second half, but that was erased when Tasman’s replacement No.8 Mark Bright bulldozed his way over for the try that sealed the victory.
Manawatu’s Tomasi Cama proved to be the difference between the sides in Palmerston North where his team moved to the top of the championship standings with a solid 32-21 victory over North Harbour on Tuesday.
The New Zealand Sevens veteran, scored a try, set up another and even dropped a goal against a North Harbour side that refused to give up and even took a 14-8 lead into the break only to be overhauled in the second half.
Manawatu secured the bonus point in the last minute as a shambolic midfield mix-up from North Harbour resulted in flyhalf Aaron Cruden swooping on the ball and racing over for the vital try.
Tasman 21-19 Hawke’s Bay
The scorers:
For Hawke’s Bay:
Tries: Lowe, Bradey
Pens: Buckman 3
For Tasman:
Tries: Scott, Bright
Cons: Goodman
Pens: Goodman 3
The teams:
Hawke’s Bay: 15 Richard Buckman, 14 Sinoti Sinoti, 13 Tua Saseve, 12 Ryan McLeod, 11 Gillies Kaka, 10 Kahn Fotuali’i, 9 Isaac Paewai, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot (captain), 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Danny Logan, 17 Hikairo Forbes, 18 Ashton Johnson, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Brad Weber, 21 Ihaia West, 22 Tino Nemani, 23 Ben Tameifuna.
Tasman: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Robbie Malneek, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Andrew Goodman (captain), 11 Mitchell Scott, 10 James Marshall, 9 Shawn Begg, 8 Jonathon Poff, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Liam Squire, 4 Filipo Levi, 5 Pablo Heuete, 3 Sam Prattley, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Fai Mika.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Craig Moore, 18 Riki Hoeata, 19 Mark Bright, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Jack Umaga, 22 Willie McGoon, 23 James Hadfield.
Referee: Angus Gardner
Manawatu 32-21 North Harbour
The scorers:
For Manawatu:
Tries: Milner-Skudder, Cama, Smith, Cruden
Cons: Cruden 3
Pen: Cruden
DG: Cama
For North Harbour:
Tries: Raikuna, Walker
Con: Botica
Pens: Walker 3
The teams:
Manawatu: 15 Nehe Milne-Skudder, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Frank Bryant, 11 Junior Tomasi Cama, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Hamish Gosling, 7 Callum Gibbins, 6 Nick Crosswell (captain), 5 Michael Fitzgerald, 4 Fraser Stone, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Polson.
Replacements: 16 Bryn Templeman, 17 Jared Brock, 18 Reece Robinson, 19 James Oliver, 20 Isaac Thompson, 21 Lewis Marshall, 22 Casey Stone, 23 Peni Kaufusi.
North Harbour: 15 Codey Rei, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Rudi Wulf, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Willie Walker, 9 Chris Smylie (captain), 8 Matt Luamanu, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Solomon King, 5 Chris Smith, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 James Parsons, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 James Afoa, 18 Irwin Finau, 19 Brent Wilson, 20 Brenton Helleur, 21 Pita Ahki, 22 Ken Pisi, 23 Taione Vea.
Referee: Bryce Lawrence
