Mako women find Harbour team a bridge too far

A promising start ended in defeat for the Tasman Mako women’s side, who were beaten 42-22 by North Harbour Hibiscus at Lansdowne Park today.

Tasman and Harbour were competing for the fourth semifinal spot in the Farah Palmer championship, consequently Tasman’s loss ended their season.

Tasman opened the scoring in the fifth minute, right winger Kim Lammers scoring in the corner after multiple phases.

After a period of see-sawing play, Harbour twice struck midway through the half. Firstly, impressive midfielder Holly Williams found a gaping hole close to the tryline, then flanker Mari-Lyn Connelly found similar space to grab the visitor’s second just minutes later. First five Ella Henderson converted both to hand Harbour a 14-5 lead.

With Tasman committing plenty of errors it did not take long for Harbour to strike again, Ursola Eteru Fuailefau scoring a fine winger’s try on the half hour. Again Henderson converted.

However, after some relentless pressure, inspirational hooker Jett Hayward charged through some weak defence to bring the home side back into it, fullback Bethan Manners’ conversion bringing the score to 21-12 as the halftime whistle blew.

The Hibiscus wasted no time stamping their ascendancy after the break, flanker Danielle Hilton scoring their bonus point try after two minutes, Henderson’s conversion giving the visitors a deserved 16-point lead.

They extended four minutes later, prop Manutala’aho Huni-Po’esi crashing over as Tasman’s tackling wilted. Henderson added the extras.

Tasman stepped up their intensity on defence, led by Brooklyn Logan, but Harbour scored again midway through the half, replacement Trinity Rika racing over to push her side into the 40s.

This sparked the home side into action, the Mako producing their best period of play since the early stages, which ended with left winger Tayla Richards diving over in the corner to bring the home crowd alight.

They followed up five minutes later, the impressive Manners crossing with aplomb to bring the score to 42-22 as the clock wound down on Tasman’s season.

Scorers:  North Harbour 42 (Holly Williams, Mari-Lyn Connelly, Ursola Eteru Fuailefau, Danielle Hilton, Manutala’aho Huni-Po’esi, Trinity Rika tries, Ella Henderson 6 con) Tasman 22 (Kim Lammers, Jett Hayward, Tayla Richards, Bethsan Manners tries, Manners con). HT: 21-12 Harbour.