League: Swords fail to slice through

Northern Swords prop Chris Apoua tackles Counties Manukau's Raymond Taimale at Toll Stadium on Sunday with Alex Salase and Sam Henry in support. Photo / Tania Newman

A chance for the Northern Swords to notch up another win against the only team they have beaten in the Pirtek NZRL National Premiership is appealing for the team.

The Swords were punished for a lack of ball security and go-forward against the Counties Manukau Stingrays, losing 46-6 at Toll Stadium.

Coach Mark Freeman tried to see the best in the scenario, saying it was time to move on and look ahead.

"I hope we have got that out of our system," he said of Sunday's loss.

"Sure there were some positives, but as football players you have to learn patience and discipline, which we showed none of with the ball.

"The boys in the middle showed we could go forward but all too often we spilled the ball early in the tackle count."

Freeman would have been especially happy with the go-forward potential shown by his props Chris Apoua, Elliot Pomare, and Andre Lennox, who all showed they could be effective at this level. Also making good yards with ball in hand was loose forward Adam Donaldson.

Scoring the Swords' only points was stand off Daniel Fulop, snatching a try from dummy half and making the most of a rare moment in Counties' red zone.

For Fulop it was encouraging, with the teen playing his first season at Swords premier level.

The Swords have a bye this weekend but will play an Auckland Under-20s development team at Portland Recreation Grounds on Saturday at 2pm.

Saturday's match will be a chance to iron out the kinks that Freeman wants to, before taking on the Vipers on September 14.

But the Vipers will not be an easy challenge after defeating the Wellington Orcas 32-22 on Saturday. The Orcas defeated the Swords 36-14 in the first round.