Late miss spares Tasman
The Tasman Makos have finally broken their duck.
Yesterday’s dramatic Mitre 10 Cup premiership 31-29 win over Waikato in Hamilton was their first of the season and after previous losses to Canterbury and Manawatu, a third straight defeat could have heaped all sorts of unnecessary pressure on last year’s beaten finalists.
Instead, Tasman delivered a much more convincing performance and although still frustrated by handling errors, were able to apply plenty of pressure to a weary Waikato side playing their third game in a week.
A desperate finish almost saw Waikato snatch a late draw when halfback Tawera Kerr Barlow dived across from an attacking scrum. But reserve first fiveeighth Mathew Landsdowne missed the conversion and Tasman were home.
There was more energy and intent in Tasman’s performance and although they led just 14-12 at the break, dominated the early second half exchanges, including two converted tries, to ensure that they’d be heading back north with their first crucial competition points in the bank. Tasman 31 (Billy Guyton, Vernon Fredericks, Will Jordan, Jordan Taufua tries, Mitch Hunt 4 con, pen) Waikato 29 (Loni Uhila, Sevu Reece, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Zac Guilford, Tawera Kerr Barlow tries, Mathew Landsdowne 2 con). HT: 14-12.
Tasman looked a much more settled side from the outset but were still guilty of turning over possession in contact.
They had made a promising start, applying early pressure on Waikato’s line. But a slipped tackle by Waikato fullback Zac Guilford enabled Waikato to spread the ball wide with a slick pass by winger Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara creating space for loosehead prop Loni Uhila to lope across in at the corner for the game’s opening try.
However, Tasman struck back just minutes later when halfback Billy Guyton showed impressive strength on Waikato’s line to burst through several tackles for a 7-5 lead.
It didn’t take long for Crusaders and All Blacks utility David Havili to show his class, firing out a long pass to unmarked flanker Vernon Fredericks for Tasman’s second try and a handy 14-5 lead.
But exciting Waikato centre Sevu Reece struck back quickly as the end-to-end action continued.
Waikato’s backs were a constant threat although Tasman scrambled effectively on defence to stifle some dangerous attacks. Tasman’s set pieces were a mixture and while solid at scrum time, struggled with their lineouts.
Ahead 14-12 at the break, Tasman struck through a slick try to fullback Will Jordan directly after the restart. And when No 8 Jordan Taufua followed him across minutes later from an attacking scrum for their bonus point try, Tasman had suddenly stretched their lead to a commanding 28-12.
A yellow card to winger James Lowe with 15 minutes remaining created unnecessary pressure on Tasman, compounded by a try to Waikato reserve hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho.
Still down a man, Tasman were punished once again when fullback Zac Guilford crossed out wide to reduce Tasman’s lead to 31-24 with around four minutes remaining.
Tasman were desperate to get their hands on the ball over the dying stages as Waikato threw everything into stealing a late draw.
However, Tasman survived the last-minute theatrics to secure victory.
Loose forwards Taufua and Ethan Blackadder and locks Alex Ainley and Shannon Frizell were the key figures in Tasman’s forward effort. Havili was a welcome return to Tasman’s backline with some clever touches and Lowe kept Waikato’s defence honest.