Tasman sink in Hawke's Bay
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:54
The Tasman Makos' attempt to send another message to the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) over their pending axing from the Air New Zealand Cup competition sunk like a proverbial Titanic when they went down 6-41 to an inspired Hawke's Bay on Saturday.
While the five-tries-to-nil win at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park put the Magpies' Air NZ Cup campaign back on track, losing on their home ground was not the way the Makos will prove they deserve another shot at the big time.
In fact it looked like the players had alright resigned themselves to the fact that they would be playing Heartland rugby next year.
One win from three previous matches had left last season's beaten semi-finalists, Hawke's Bay, in need of a boost and they gave themselves plenty of reasons to be cheerful - as the bonus-point win put them into the top four on the standings, albeit only temporarily.
However, they showed they can be competitive again this year and remain play-off prospects.
They were a cut above Tasman from the outset.
It didn't take long for the visitors to chalk up the first points of the evening when Matt Berquist nailed a drop-goal from 45 metres out.
However, Tasman was able to hit back moments later, when the Magpies gave away a penalty and allowed first five-eighths (No.10) Miah Nikora to equal the scores.
However, centre Jason Shoemark snared an intercept try from 40m out in just the 11th minute to give his side an edge they never conceded.
There was nothing opportunistic about the second of their five tries, which came just eight minutes later when lock Matt Egan featured twice in a storming move down the left.
The ball was then recycled and wing Jason Kupa scored on the right flank after smart handling from his insides.
Flyhalf Mathew Berquist was in fine form, ending with a personal haul of 16 points after a flawless display of goal-kicking, including a 45m dropped goal in the second minute.
He also set up his side's third try when a clever stab ahead was latched onto by young wing Zac Guildford.
Tasman was able to kick another penalty on the stroke of half-time, although things weren't looking good for the Makos as they walked off the field with the score sitting at 27-6.
Hawke's Bay extended their lead in the 52nd minute when No.8 George Naoupu scored their bonus-point fourth try following a smart set move from a scrum near the line.
Some momentum was then lost when big prop Faka'anaua Taumalolo was sinbinned but Hawke's Bay barely missed a beat.
They skipped further ahead in the 64th minute when Guildford snared his second try after the Tasman defence was caught napping following a quick tap kick inside the 22.
Scorers:
For Tasman:
Pens: Nikora, Goodman
For Hawke's Bay:
Tries: Guildford 2, Shoemark, Kupa, Naoupu
Cons: Berquist 5
Pen: Berquist
DG: Berquist
Yellow card: Faka'anaua Taumalolo (Hawke's Bay, 55)
Teams:
Tasman: 15 Robbie Malneek, 14 Blair Cook, 13 Andrew Goodman (captain), 12 Joel Iggo, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 Mark Bright, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Jonathan Poff, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Will Crutchley, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Dan Perrin, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Tristan Moran, 18 Joe Wheeler, 19 Glen Gregory, 20 Lua Vailoaloa, 21 Mike Pehi, 22 James Marshall
Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Daniel Waenga, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Matt Berquist, 9 Danny Lee (captain), 8 George Naoupu, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Johnson, 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Matt Egan, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Faka'anaua Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Ash
Dixon, 17 Josh Keys, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Sam Giddens, 22 Mark Jackman.
Referee: Kelvin Deaker
TMO: Steve Walsh
