Waikato beats Otago
14th August 2011 08:37PM
Waikato took away a bonus point win against Otago at Waikato Stadium on Sunday evening to claim the top of the ITM Premiership table spot for the first time this season.
Waikato conceded an early penalty in the game which Otago second-five Glenn Dickson slotted right in front of the posts to get the score board rolling.
After continuous attacking pressure from Waikato, first-five Stephen Donald landed a considerable 54 metre penalty goal to bring the score to 3 all.
A deep pressure kick into Otagos twenty-two set Waikato up for a handy turnover with fullback Trent Renata finding a gap then off-loading wide to winger Henry Speight who fought through three Otago defence to score the first try of the game.
Just two minutes after, Waikato's set piece off a half-way scrum sent second-five Jackson Willison straight through the defence line firing a brilliant pass to Brendon Leonard who crossed the line on his 50th game for the province.
Shortly after Waikato's outstanding defence denied Otago of a try after persisting attempts, Otago winger Buxton Popoalii slipped through a trio of miss-tackles from the Waikato defence line to score under the posts right before half-time.
After a slow start to the second half, substitutions Nathan White and Ted Tauroa brought some fresh strength to the Waikato forward pack along with Tawera Kerr-Barlow and flying winger Declan O'Donnell in the backs.
Waikato's back-line were all class from inside Otagos half where Renata's speed combined with a great cut by Willison then sent fresh-legged O'Donnell down the wing to score his second ITM Cup try.
Shortly after, Waikato pushed hard for their bonus-point try once again spreading the ball wide to find hooker Cummings-Toone on the wing bolting down the line with momentum gained by the forward-pack behind him to cross the line for another five points.
The final score was 25-10 to Mighty Mooloo's setting them just one point ahead of Taranaki on the Premiership Table. Waikato will face Manawatu in Round 11 on Saturday 20th August at 8.05pm in Palmerston North.
Penalty: Donald
Try: Speight, Leonard, O'Donnell, Cummings-Toone
Conversion: Donald
Half-time score: 15-10
Full-time score: 25-10
Substitutions:
16 Vance Elliott on for Cummings-Toone in the 74th minute
17 Nathan White on for Ben May in the 59th minute
18 Chris Middleton on for Vant Leven
19 Zak Hohneck for Holah
20 Tawera Kerr-Barlow on for Leonard in the 60th minute
21 Sam Christie on for Willison
22 Declan O'Donnell on for Donald in the 61st minute
23 Ted Tauroa on for Talakai in the 59th minute
