Lack of ball no problem

The Taranaki Development rugby side made it back-to-back wins in the Northern Regions competition with a 35-26 victory over North Harbour B at Albany on Saturday.

Tries to Jack Jordan, Matthew Kissick, Pita Sowakula, Peter BNorthcott and Pomare Samupo all scored tries for the development side, with Eli Kneepkens landing all five conversions.

Taranaki Development coach Ngatai Walker was delighted with the win, especially considering they played without the ball for most of the first half.

‘‘I think we only had the ball about three times in that time and we scored three tries,’’ he said. ’’We’re starting to learn how each other plays and that’s proving to be a big part of why we are winning.’’

The win follows their first-up victory against Bay of Plenty, with Walker saying Saturday’s performance was even better.

He said a host of players stood out, including halfback Brett Goodin, first five-eighth Telly Hemopo and second five-eighth Blake Hohaia while lock Peter Nrothcott, and loose forwards Trent Pickering and Matthew Kissick played well up front.

Their next match is against Auckland B in New Plymouth on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Taranaki Under-19 side will need to beat Counties Manukau this week if they want to qualify for the top eight at the Jock Hobbs memorial national tournament in Taupo.

That’s after they lost 15-3 in a scrappy game against Waikato at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday.

Taranaki took the lead early in the game but never really threatened to score a try with Waikato looking the more accomplished team.

Taranaki’s biggest problem was their lineout where they just could not win their own ball.

To their credit Taranaki stuck at it and defended with plenty of determination but they just lacked the size and speed Waikato had in key positions.