Taranaki edge out Waikato
21st July 2011 11:16PM
Playing for the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy, Taranaki were able to come from behind to edge Waikato 30-23 in a thrilling contest at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton tonight.
Just like they did against Southland, Waikato was off to another fast start as they put early pressure on the Taranaki line.
It seemed all too easy for prop Toby Smith who continued his great Super Rugby form to register his first try of the ITM Cup season as he rumbled past the Taranaki defence over the tryline.
Waikato first five-eighth Stephen Donald converted the early Smith try to give the home-side a 7-0 lead.
The Mooloo men seemed clinical with ball in hand as they applied the pressure on Taranaki.
They were rewarded when Tawera Kerr-Barlow caught the defence off guard as he took the quick-tap to score his side's second try of the night. Donald's conversion gave Waikato a handy lead 14-0.
Taranaki managed to post their first points after a brilliant build up saw fullback Andre Taylor go over in the corner after great interplay from the backs a phase earlier.
New Zealand Under-20 representative and Taranaki first-five Beauden Barrett was unable to add the extras to make it 14-5 with halftime approaching.
The home-side looked good as they attacked the tryline only for desperate defence from Taranaki to keep Waikato from posting anymore points before the break.
Taranaki looked to have lost an opportunity to score when a lovely covering tackle from a Waikato forward stopped an almost certain try.
Referee Kane McBride signalled for halftime as Waikato went into the sheds with a 14-5 lead.
Two minutes into the second half Taranaki were awarded a penalty after loose forward Marty Holah was judged to have detached from the scrum early. Taylor raised the flags to narrow the gap to 14-8.
Referee McBride gave Waikato the penalty from close range where fullback Trent Renata resumed the kicking duties after Donald suffered a knock to his shoulder in the lead-up.
Renata restored the halftime margin only for Taranaki's Taylor to return the favour minutes later with his own penalty.
Taranaki soon hit the lead after a great line break by Barrett set up inside centre Jayden Hayward to dot down behind the posts.
Taylor slotted the extras to give Taranaki their first lead of the night 18-17.
Waikato was able to regain the lead again through the boot of Renata as he nailed two difficult penalties to make it 23-18.
Hayward was in the action again as he turned provider this time setting up replacement Chris Walker to race away from the Waikato defenders and give their side the lead with Taylor's conversion 25-23.
Taranaki's try set up a thrilling finish as both sides were determined to walk away with the competition points.
In the final minute of the game Waikato were desperate to get into position to win the game, only for Taranaki replacement Blade Thomson to recover the loose ball and score in the corner.
Taylor's unsuccessful conversion ensured that Waikato received a bonus point as Taranaki walked away with the victory 30-23.
Next week, Waikato head to Rotorua to play the Bay of Plenty Steamers on Tuesday, before their game with Tasman back at Waikato Stadium on Friday with kickoff at 8.05am.
Score Summary:
Waikato: 23 (Smith, Kerr-Barlow Tries, Renata 3 Pen, Donald 2 Con)
Taranaki: 30 (Taylor, Hayward, Walker, Thomson Tries, Taylor 2 Pen, Taylor 2 Con)
Halftime: 14-5 Waikato
The Waikato team is
1. Toby Smith
2. Aled de Malmanche
3. Nathan White (Captain)
4. Toby Lynn
5. Romana Graham
6. Matt Vant Leven
7. Marty Holah
8. Rory Grice
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Stephen Donald
11. Declan O'Donnell
12. Jackson Willison
13. Save Tokula
14. Henry Speight
15. Trent Renata
Reserves:
16. Marcel Cummings-Toone on for de Malmanche in the 64th min
17. Ben May on for White in the 5oth min
18. Jack Lam on for Vant Leven in the 60th min
19. Chris Middleton on for Graham in the 60th min
20. Brendon Leonard on for Kerr-Barlow in the 64th min
21. Sam Christie DNP
22. Tim Mikkelson on for Donald in the 56th min
23. Latu Talakai DNP
