Waikato have booked their spot in the Bunnings NPC semi-finals with a 15-14 win over Taranaki in New Plymouth.

Ollie Norris would open the scoring 8 minutes into the match. After receiving the ball five metres out, Norris would carry the ball strong at the line, carrying two defenders to the line. He would then stretch out to score. Aaron Cruden would add the extras and Waikato would lead 7-nil.

Oli Mathis would score the next try to extend Waikato’s lead. From a five metre scrum, Waikato would swing the ball out wide, Mathis would use his footwork to step through the defence to score. Cruden this time was unsuccessful with the conversion and Waikato led 12-nil after 16 minutes.

There would be no change to the score at halftime as the Mooloo’s lead 12-nil at the break.

Waikato would again extend their advantage to 15 points with a successful Tepaea Cook-Savage drop goal. After a poor clearance from the home team the ball would fall for Cruden, who would pass the ball back to Cook-Savage and he would line up a successful drop goal from 45 metres out. 

However Taranaki finally got on the board around the 53rd minute mark when Adam Lennox crossed and then at the midway point of the second half Bradley Slater would also score. Stephen Perofeta would convert by tries to make it a 1 point game with 20 minutes to play.

In the end Waikato were able to hold out the home team, while maintaining their slim margin to book a semi-final against the Lions in Wellington next weekend, for the right to go to the Bunnings NPC Final.  

Taranaki 14 (Adam Lennox, Bradley Slater tries; Stephen Perofeta 2 conversions)   

Waikato 15 (Ollie Norris, Oli Mathis tries; Aaron Cruden 1 conversion, Tepaea Cook-Savage 1 drop goal) 

HT: 0-12

Article added: Monday 14 October 2024