Waikato 15 - Taranaki 14
25th September 2009 09:45PM
Waikato secured a much needed away victory beating Taranaki 15 to 14 at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tonight.
It was a nail biting finish to a game that was more about tenacity than expansive rugby.
In the first half, Taranaki opened with a penalty to Ripia, followed by a penalty to Callum Bruce. Then Taranaki captain Tony Penn scored a try, the only one of the match, which was uncoverted by Ripia. Both Bruce and Ripia again had a chance to slot penalites, seeing Taranaki lead 11 to 6 at half-time.
In the second half Bruce kicked two penalites to take the Mooloos out to the lead for the first time in the match, only to be chasing again when Willie Ripia kicked a drop goal in the 74th minute.
However, thanks to the accurate drop kicking skills of first five-eighth Trent Renata, the Mooloos secured the lead again with two minutes remaining on the clock. It was a tense finish to the match with Taranaki still in possession and playing the ball three minutes after the 80 minute mark.
Waikato secured four points out of tonight's win and Taranaki earned their first bonus point of the season.
It is a quick turn around for Waikato now with the Mooloos taking on North Harbour at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton next week on Thursday 1 October. Tickets for this match, (kick off 7.35pm) are on sale now via www.mooloo.co.nz and the usual ticketing outlets.
First Half:
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Callum Bruce (2)
Half Time Score: Waikato 6 - Taranaki 11
Second Half:
Tries:
Conversions:
Penalties: Callum Bruce (2)
Drop Kick: Trent Renata
Full Time Score: Waikato 15 - Taranaki 14
The Waikato team was:
1. Hikairo Forbes
2. Ole Avei
3. Latu Talakai
4. Romana Graham
5. Kevin O'Neill
6. Liam Messam (captain)
7. Jack Lam
8. Alex Bradley
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Trent Renata
11. Dwayne Sweeney
12. Callum Bruce
13. Save Tokula/Roimata Hansell-Pune
14. Tim Mikkelson
15. Sosene Anesi
Reserves:
16. Vern Kamo (Avei)
17. Lionel Wairau (Talakai)
18. Kent Fife (Graham)
19. Jordan Smiler (Bradley)
20. David Bason (Kerr-Barlow)
21. Jackson Willison (Tokula)
22. Henry Speight (Anesi)
