Waikato have moved to the top of the Premiership standings with a 22-39 victory over Tasman Mako in Nelson in week 4 of the Bunnings NPC.

The home team were on the scoreboard early after Waikato gave away a penalty in a kickable position for Mitch Hunt to convert into 3 points after a few minutes.

Fletcher Smith drew the game level after 12 minutes, when he was successful with a penalty shot at goal after Tasman were penalised for not rolling away.

Waikato took the lead around the 25 minute mark after a mistake from Tasman saw the ball go to ground, Gideon Wrampling, toed the ball ahead before Matty Lansdown chipped in by kicking down the field. Lansdown then regather the ball to score the first try of the match. Smith was successful with the conversion and Waikato were in front 3-10.

The Mooloo’s extended their lead again from another Tasman mistake. Bailyn Sullivan regather a loose carry from Tasman to race down field. Sullivan drew in the final defender and Liam Coombes-Fabling scored an athletic try in the corner. This time Smith could not add the extras as Waikato led 3-15 with 12 to play in the half.

Mitch Hunt had an opportunity late in the first half to add 3 points to the home team's score but was unsuccessful, so the Mooloo’s went into the break with a 3-15 lead.

Minutes into the second half Gideon Wrampling broke through the Tasman defence to score next to the posts. Smith added the extras and Waikato had a 19 point lead after 2 minutes.

Leicester Fainga’anuku smashed his way over the tryline for the first try for the home team after 51 minutes. Hunt was successful with the conversion, but Waikato then struck back quickly to reassert their advantage, when Cortez Ratima broke a few tackles to score another try for Waikato. Smith added the extras and Waikato had a 19 point advantage again.

Smith made it a 22 point advantage when he was successful with a penalty shot at goal midway through the second half.

However Tasman didn’t want to give up and back to back tries from Shannon Frizell and Andrew Makalio saw Waikato advantage reduced to 10 points with only 9 minutes remaining.

In the 78th minute Waikato sealed the victory, when Smith put in a cross field kick for Coombes-Fabling to run on too. He caught the ball cleanly and crossed over for his second try of the match. Smith added the extras and Waikato had done enough to seal the bonus point 22-39 victory,

Tasman 22 (Leicester Fainga’anuku Shannon Frizell, Andrew Makalio tries; Mitch Hunt 2 conversions, 1 penalty) 

Waikato 39 (Matty Lansdown, Liam Coombes-Fabling 2, Gideon Wrampliing, Cortez Ratima tries; Fletcher Smith 3 conversions, 2 penalties)

HT: 3-15

Article added: Monday 27 September 2021