Ton of Mooloo
periods inside Tasman territory, but let opportunities slip and turned down chances to count their points in threes.
Instead, it was Tasman who scored the first try of the game.
After a Leuila kick for territory ran just long and went dead in goal, the Mako made the most of their scrum on halfway.
Halfback Louie Chapman scooted away from the back, skinning defenders with his pace and a couple of big dummies, before sending Regan Ware away on the wing.
It seemed as though the Mako had taken the upper hand but a loose ball in the Tasman attack fell nicely for star back Bailyn Sullivan to scoop up and run 60m to go in between the sticks untouched for Waikato.
With the Mooloos holding a slim three-point lead at the break and 40 minutes to find a winner, Tasman drew level through a Mitch Hunt penalty early in the second half.
But as Tasman looked to be gaining momentum in their attacking game, again a loose ball was their downfall. Once more, Sullivan was in the right place at the right time when a ball went to ground and had another long run against the play to give the hosts the lead.
Needing an injection of energy, Tasman looked to last weekend’s game-winner Levi Aumua and he made an immediate impact. After a strong carry saw centre Aumua bump off defenders and make good ground, Tasman caught Waikato on the back foot and lock Quinten Strange crossed moments later.
However, the boot of replacement first-five Fletcher Smith made the difference, with a 72nd-minute penalty the deciding factor.
A couple of penalties in the dying moments gave Tasman the chance to get in position to draw level or steal the game but a wayward lineout saw Waikato pounce on the ball and kick it into touch to seal the win.
Waikato 23 (Bailyn Sullivan 2 tries; D’Angelo Leuila 2 cons, 2 pens, Fletcher Smith pen) Tasman 20 (Regan Ware, Quinten Strange tries; Mitch Hunt 2 cons, 2 pens). HT: 13-10.