Lions' late charge milks Manawatu
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 12:34
A try-laden second-half saw Wellington hold onto their 100 percent winning record in the Air New Zealand (NZ) Cup this season, resulting in a 36-13 win over Manawatu in Palmerston North on Friday.
The bonus-point victory sees Wellington hold onto their top spot on the Air NZ Cup table. However, contrary to what the scoreline suggests, for three quarters of the match the Turbos were right in it.
But just like previous opponents of Wellington this season, they had little answer for the intensity of Jamie Joseph's Lions in the final 20 minutes.
Both sides had strong starts with ball in hand, including Wellington's willingness to counter-attack from their own half.
Manawatu were forced into desperate defence just two minutes into the first half, forcing rookie Lions flyhalf Michael Hobbs to knock-on just five metres from the goal-line. Lions continued to retain possession in the Turbos' half, although Manawatu impressed at scrum-time in the early stages.
Unsurprisingly, Wellington opened the scoring, dominating possession and territory which finally paid off in the 15th minute.
Fullback Cory Jane made a telling break, which saw Thomas Waldrom over the line for the first try of the match - which Tamati Ellison was unable to convert.
Matty James then closed the gap for Manawatu with a penalty in the 26th minute (5-3). A second strike from James soon after saw Manawatu claim the lead, after the Turbos had soaked up plenty of pressure (6-5).
Wellington went back on the attack as half-time neared, and again Manawatu's desperate defence was enough to force another turnover just metres from their try-line.
The turnover, created by Hayden Triggs, followed a sustained period of solid Wellington attack, although the scoreline remained 6-5 in favour of the hosts at the interval.
Manawatu came out firing in the second half, with fullback Kurt Baker cutting through the defence from the restart, but a handling error up front eased the pressure.
With play changing hands several times, it was Wellington who scored first, with Jane going on the attack which Hosea Gear capped off with his eighth try of the season. Ellison again missed his conversion attempt.
Gear's marker, Andre Taylor, was knocked out cold shortly after tackling Jane. Play was held up as he was taken off the field, being replaced by Francisco Bosch.
Manawatu managed thereafter to keep the ball with good effect. James had the chance to close the gap in the 55th minute, but missed with a penalty attempt.
Wellington had an opportunity to extend their lead four minutes later, but right wing Tu Umaga-Marshall fumbled when attempted to re-gather a chip kick near the Manawatu try-line.
However he redeemed himself in the 63rd minute, bursting through two attempted tackles for Wellington's third try. The conversion attempt by Fa'atonu Fili went wide.
Soon after, Ross Filipo went over for the Lion's bonus-point try, as Manawatu finally started to falter under pressure. Fili managed to slot the conversion this time.
Filipo then backed up a burst from Jane, charged up-field and then fed the ball back to Jane to score try number five, which Fili again converted.
Baker then hit back for Manawatu as their expansive play finally paid off. James converted from the sideline.
But the respite was only temporary, as Wellington's Jeremy Thrush sealed a strong performance with the Lion's sixth try.
Scorers:
For Manuwatu:
Try: Baker
Con: Thompson
Pens: James 2
For Wellington:
Tries: Waldrom, Gear, Umaga-Marshall, Filipo, Jane, Thrush
Cons: Fili 3
Teams:
Manawatu: 15
Kurt Bake, 14 Lote Raikabula, 13 Johnny Leota, 12 Francis Bryant, 11 Andre Taylor, 10 Matty James, 9 Aaron Good, 8 Hamish Gosling, 7 Josh Bradnock/Doug Tietjens (captain), 6 Nick Crosswell, 5 James Goode, 4 Hayden Triggs, 3 David Te Moana, 2 Rob Foreman, 1 Grant Polson.
Replacements: 16 Sean O'Connor, 17 Talau Hala, 18 Paul Rodgers, 19 Doug Tietjens/Mitchell Crosswell, 20 Issac Thompson, 21 Aaron James, 22 Francisco Bosch.
Wellington Lions: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Tane Tu'ipulotu, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Chris Masoe, 5 Api Naikatini, 4 Jeremy Thrush (captain), 3 Tim Fairbrother, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Eugene Smith, 17 Arden David, 18 Ross Filipo, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Scott Fuglistaller, 21 Tomasi Palu, 22 Fa'atonu Fili.
Referee: Steve Walsh
Television match
official: Chris Pollock
