Tasman still to get off the mark
Tasman are yet to record their first log points of the season after they suffered their third consecutive defeat in the National Provincial Cup when they went down 32-23 to Counties Manukau in Blenheim on Sunday.
Counties managed to secure a bonus point by crossing the tryline four times, while the hosts could only manage two five-pointers.
Tasman lock Joe Wheeler and wing Mitchell Scott both dotted down to add to the 13 points from the boot of Andrew Goodman, but it was not enough against a Counties team that made far better use of their opportunities.
Left wing Sherwin Stowers grabbed a second-half brace to add to the two tries – one in each half – scored by fullback Ahsee Tuala. Tasman will be desperate to turn things around after suffering three losses in just over a week, and they have a fight on their hands to save a campaign that is in danger of being over before it has properly begun.
*Hawke’s Bay put in a powerful second-half performance and outscored Otago by three tries to one in their comfortable 27-13 National Provincial Championship match in Napier on Sunday.
Hawkes Bay flyhalf Andrew Horell continued his good form off the kicking tee and traded penalties with Glenn Dickson to make it 6-6 before the first try was scored four minutes from the break.
Powerful prop Sona Taumalolo drove over from close range and Horrell duly converted to make it 13-6 to Hawkes Bay at half-time. They took complete control when Daniel Kirkpatrick crossed the whitewash shortly after the break to make it 20-6.
Otago hit back when replacement flank TJ Ioane snapped up a dropped pass and released wing Joe Hill who got over for his team’s first try, but it was not enough and Hawkes Bay restored their 14-point lead when scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i scored under the poles after a strong forward drive.
Counties Manukau 32-23 Tasman
For Tasman:
Tries: Wheeler, Scott
Cons: Goodman 2
Pens: Goodman 3
For Counties Manukau:
Tries: Tuala 2, Stowers 2
Cons: Lavea 2, Semple
Pens: Lavea 2
The teams:
Tasman: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Robbie Malneek, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Andrew Goodman (captain), 11 Mitchell Scott, 10 James Marshall, 9 Steve Alfeld, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Jonathon Poff, 5 Joe Wheeler, 4 Riki Hoeata, 3 Fai Mika, 2 Francis Smith, 1 Sam Prattley.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Moore or Prattley, 18 Heuete, 19 Liam Squire, 20 Shawn Begg, 21 James Proctor, 22 Jack Umaga, 23 James Hadfield.
Counties-Manukau: 15 Ahsee Tuala, 14 Tyrone Lefau, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Niva Ta’auso, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Tasesa Lavea, 9 August Pulu, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Mark Selwyn, 6 Ronald Raaymakers, 5 Jamie Chipman (captain), 4 Taiasina Tuifua, 3 Ihipa Thompson, 2 Grant Henson, 1 Simon Lemalu.
Replacements: 16 Mark Price, 17 Jeremiah Fatialofa, 18 Adam Cathcart, 19 DJ Forbes, 20 David Bason, 21 James Semple, 22 Siale Piutau, 23 Matt Talaese.
Referee: Nick Briant
Hawkes Bay 27-13 Otago
The scorers:
For Hawkes Bay:
Tries: Taumalolo, Kirkpatrick, Fotuali’i
Cons: Horrell 3
Pens: Horrell 2
For Otago:
Try: Hill
Con: Dickson
Pens: Dickson 2
The teams:
Hawke’s Bay: 15 Richard Buckman, 14 Tu Umaga Marshall, 13 Star Timu, 12 Andrew Horrell, 11 Sinoti Sinoti, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Kahn Fotuali’i, 8 Mike Coman (captain), 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Trent Boswell-Wakefield, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Danny Logan, 17 Hikairo Forbes, 18 Ben Rettalick, 19 Adam Bradley, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Ryan McLeod, 22 Gillies Kaka, 23 Lucky Mulipolo.
Otago: 15 Glenn Dickson, 14 Joe Hill, 13 Ben Atiga, 12 Sam Giddens, 11 Buxton Popoali’i, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Sean Romans, 8 Gareth Evans, 7 Eben Joubert (captain), 6 Adam Hill, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Rob Verbakel, 3 James McGougan, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Halani Aulika.
Replacements: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Kees Meeuws, 18 Daniel Ramsay, 19 TJ Ioane, 20 Johnny Legg, 21 Jayden Spence, 22 Tony Brown, 23 Scott Manson.
Referee: Matt Muir
