Waikato have won back the Stan Thomas memorial trophy after putting Auckland to the sword winning 30-15 at FMG Stadium in Round 6 of the Bunnings NPC.

It took 18 minutes for the points to be scored and it would be Damian McKenzie’s boot that would score the first point with a successful penalty. But Auckland would reply with their own penalty 3 minutes later to draw the game level at 3 all.

Daniel Sinkinson would score the first try of the evening to put Waikato back in front. McKenzie would add the extras and Waikato would lead 10-3 after 26 minutes.

However ex-Waikato player Jordan Trainor would score and Harry Plummer would add the extras to draw the game level again at 10 all after 28 minutes.

But Waikato would take back the lead with 3 minutes remaining in the first half when Tepaea Cook-Savage would find his way over the line to score Waikato’s second try. McKenzie again was successful with the conversion as the home team went into the break with a 17-10 lead.

In the second half McKenzie would be successful with a penalty kick at goal to extend their lead to 10 points. However a charge down and recovered by Harry Plummer to score would bring Auckland within 5 points of Waikato midway through the second half.

But Waikato would strike back right away after recovering the restart and Patrick McCurran would cross for his first try in Waikato colours. McKenzie would again add the extras and Waikato would have a 12 point lead with 19 minutes left on the clock.

McKenzie would be successful with another penalty at the 69 minute mark to make it over a 2 score game but Auckland couldn’t score anymore points and Waikato would remain undefeated with a 30-15 victory over Auckland to remain at the top of the odds pool of the Bunnings NPC.

Waikato 30 (Daniel Sinkinson, Tepaea Cook-Savage, Patrick McCurran tries; Damian McKenzie 3 conversion, 3 penalties)

Auckland 15 (Jordan Trainor, Harry Plummer tries; Harry Plummer 1 conversion, 1 penalty)

HT: 17-10

Article added: Monday 12 September 2022