Mako lose thriller to Waikato

For the second week in a row Tasman have been on the wrong side of an overtime thriller, losing 29-24 to Waikato in their NPC clash at Lansdowne Park tonight.

With the scores tied 24-24 at the end of normal time, the match was decided in golden point extra time.

Tasman had the chance to win it when William Havili missed a handy penalty attempt and also had several foiled charges close to the line, but eventually Waikato got some running ball and winger Josh Moorby sped over in the corner to dash local hopes.

Waikato had first use of the breeze and made the most of it, scoring their first try after just four minutes.

It came from a close range lineout drive, prop George Dyer dotting down at the bottom of a pile of bodies.  Lima Sopoaga converted to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead.

It was short-lived however, Tasman registering their first five minutes later, prolific try-scoring hooker Tomasi Maka crashing over after a series of close-range charges.  Cooper Grant’s well-judged conversion tied the scores up.

However, a scintillating break from Oli Mathis set up field position for the visitors from where they scored their second, winger Daniel Sinkinson diving over in the corner.

Waikato continued to attack, testing Tasman’s defence both in close and out wide. Eventually it cracked, powerhouse No 8 Senita Lauaki surging through to bag the Mooloo Men’s third. Sopoaga’s conversion pushed Waikato ahead 19-7, with the Mako struggling to stay in touch.

But stay in touch they did, creating field position on the back of a couple of penalties, then going to their reliable lineout drive, Maka crashing over for his second. Grant’s second conversion made the halftime score 19-14, a decent position given the imbalance of possession.

The second half began with a long period of Tasman dominance, which went unrewarded, lineout inaccuracy and discipline allowing Waikato off the hook.

Then the visitors showed how to construct a try, picking up their bonus point score, with Sinkinson diving over in the corner to give the visitors a deserved 10-point lead.

Tasman had to be next to score and they did. This time it was the local lad, Cooper Roberts, who got the touchdown, a superb short pass from David Havili  putting him into a hole 10m out.

With the margin just five points, and all to play for the final nine minutes were hectic.

Eventually the Mako got in the right part of the park and went to their lineout drive. An unstoppable charge ended with referee Ben O’Keeffe on his knees and signalling a try to replacement hooker Eli Oudenryn.

Willie Havili’s conversion was high pressure and vital but when it bounced off the upright, golden point extra time was required to decide this one, adding an extra layer of drama to a tense encounter between two sides desperate for NPC points.

Scores:  Waikato 29 (George Dyer, Daniel Sinkinson 2, Senita Lauaki, Josh Moorby tries, Lima Sopoaga 2 con) Tasman 24 (Tomasi Maka 2, Cooper Roberts, Eli Oudenryn tries, Cooper Grant 2 con). HT: 19-14

Under-16

The curtainraiser featured an entertaining clash between the Marlborough and Nelson Bays under-16 rep sides.

Both teams had scored hefty wins over both West Coast and Buller in preceding weekends and were building up to their forthcoming South Island tournament in Christchurch.

The visiting side made a scintillating start, racing out to a 40-0 lead at halftime, outstanding centre Liam Soper leading the way with two tries.

Marlborough made a mini-comeback midway through the second spell, scoring three consecutive tries, but ultimately Nelson were too strong across the park, winning 52-19.