Mooloo's Smother Top of Table
22nd October 2010 09:57PM
The top of the table clash seemed destined to be on the cards as the Mooloo’s faced Canterbury tonight at home.
With the 50th game for Waikato Hooker Aled de Malmanche Waikato look to gain a home semi-final.
With Steven Donald missing from action due to All Black commitments, replacement first-five, Trent Renata needed to step up and fill his boots.
Nine minutes into the game Trent proved his place in the squad kicking his first penalty of the match to make the score 3-0. With first half penalties going Waikato’s way, Renata’s accurate kicking performance pushing the home team out to a 9-0 lead.
33 minutes into the game Waikato scored the first try through to extend their lead to 16-0.
Colin Slade kicked Canterbury’s first points sending the teams into the changing room at 16-3.
All Black selection, Sitiveni Sivivatu made his entrance to the game as the teams returned to the field for the second half.
Sosene Anesi provided the Mooloo’s with a second try and a 3-3 lead as he busted over the line to put the composed Waikato side further ahead on the try-less Canterbury team.
Outstanding tryline defense by substitute Tawera Kerr-Barlow held Canterbury from scoring.
With a penalty to Waikato deep into the second half the team decided to take the points and Renata followed his outstanding kicking game with another penalty as he slotted the team to a 20 point lead.
A strong defense in the final stages of the game held out a Canterbury attack leaving them scoreless and a final score of 26-6.
First Half
Half-time score: 16-6
Penalties: Trent Renata (3)
Tries: Alex Bradley
Conversions: Renata
Second Half
Full-time score: 26-6
Tries: Sosene Anesi
Conversions: Renata
Penalties: Renata
The Waikato team that took on Canterbury in Hamilton on Saturday was:
1. Toby Smith
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Nathan White (Captain)
4. Toby Lynn
5. Romana Graham
6. Matt Vant Leven
7. Jack Lam
8. Alex Bradley
9. Malcolm Barnes
10. Trent Renata
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Jackson Willison
13. Save Tokula
14. Henry Speight
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves:
16. Hikairo Forbes
17. Ben May
18. Kent Fife
19. Zak Hohneck
20. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
21. Christian Lealiifano
22. Sitiveni Sivivatu
The win gives Waikato the chance at a home semi-final and leaving them on 44 points with Canterbury on top with 45.
If Auckland are beaten by Tasman on Sunday or win with only four points then Waikato will secure the home semi-final. If Auckland wins with five points Waikato will drop into either third or fourth on the table.
