Lions roar in the Bay

AN unstoppable second half performance from the Wellington Lions earned them revenge for last year’s NPC Championship final loss against Hawke’s Bay.

Trailing 12-7 at the break, the Lions ran riot in the second half at McLean Park in Napier yesterday to win 36-26, reversing the loss they suffered to the same side at the same ground last year.

First-five Jackson Garden-Bachop started the comeback, scoring a try early in the second half to give his side some much-needed impetus.

He put right wing Joe Hill through a gap on the 22, with Hill firing a return pass back in his direction.

Knowing he couldn’t catch it, GardenBachop kneed the ball forward and raced ahead to be first to the loose ball over the tryline.

It sparked a dominant 25-minute period, which 29-year-old Wellington debutant Galu Taufale capped in memorable fashion.

The blindside flanker did good work in the buildup to get his side near the line before the ball was spun out to the right. Pakai Turia then put in a beautiful crosskick back out to the left, which found an unmarked Taufale to score in the corner.

A Garden-Bachop conversion from the sideline had his side up 22-12.

A slick bit of footwork from Hill near the line saw him dot down in the corner, earning Wellington a bonus point.

Sloppy defence from Wellington allowed Hawke’s Bay lock Geoff Cridge to run 15 metres to score with 10 minutes to go, but Wellington captain Greg Foe capped a great move to score and again put his side out of reach.