Sharks win but have plenty to do
The Taranaki Sharks Rugby League team made things hard for themselves with their first hit-out of the season against a strong and experienced Te Atiawa side.
The Sharks were able to come away with a 40-34 win at Bell Block’s Hickford Park on Saturday, however they’ll have plenty to address heading into the representative season.
The Taranaki team got off to a flier, scoring three converted tries to lead 18-0 after some nice play early.
It didn’t last though, as the Sharks failed to complete their sets, let themselves down with poor handling, forced passes and poor discipline around the ruck
allowed their opposition to take their chances.
Te Atiawa fought back strongly scoring three tries of their own to trail 18-16 after half an hour and suddenly it was anyone’s game.
The Sharks finally put some good play together scoring two tries and led 28-16 at the break. After a stern talking to at halftime, the Sharks started the second half with more structure and better ball control but Te Atiawa scored first courtesy of some fresh legs making it a one-try deficit.
The Sharks then scored a welltaken team try through centre Stacy Hill to lead 34-22, but Te Atiawa kept coming back as they scored again to close it up to 34-26.
Another converted try to the Sharks and it looked as if they would put the game away but back came Te Atiawa scoring two further tries as the Sharks tired and lost shape. Both were unconverted for the Sharks to sneak away with a 40-34 win.
This was the perfect hit out for the Sharks as Te Atiawa were a team stacked full of experienced league players and senior club rugby players who at times showed their class. For the Sharks, centre Hill ran with purpose and defended strongly in a man of the match performance, while the halves of Jaron Schischka and Whai Hohaia defended well above their weight.
In the forwards, props Darryl Takerei and veteran Maloni Tuitupou carried strongly with several charging runs.
The Sharks will have to quickly improve their completion rates if they want success against Manawatu and Hawke’s Bay later this month. They will have another chance to do so when they take on Nga Ruahine in Hawera this Saturday in another ‘friendly’ match.
Taranaki Sharks Coach Alan Jackson said the team has a lot to work on but he was really pleased with the 80-minute effort of his players considering his weakened bench due to injuries and work commitments.