Taniwha win first ITM Cup match

Northland drew first blood in their opening ITM Cup match against Tasman, with an adroit 19-9 win at Whangarei's Toll Stadium.
It was only Northland's second win over Tasman in six years, and Saturday's victory tasted sweet after last year's 29-34 loss to the Makos in Nelson.
The season opener was hardly polished, turnovers plaguing both sides, but as far as Northland head coach Adriaan Ferris was concerned, a win was a win and he welcomed any form it came in - especially with the championship title and a place in the premiership division of the national provincial competition up for grabs.
The Taniwha began strongly, knowing they had to get off to a good start. "We had talked about how we needed to start well. Tasman are a team who play rugby in the second half and they did ... when they did get the ball they played well and they were very quick with their offloads," Ferris said after the match.
Just minutes into the game, Northland halfback Rhyan Caine set up the first try with a surging midfield run, Rene Ranger at centre kicked through and blindside flanker Dan Faleafa was the man on the spot to touch down.
Lachie Munro missed the conversion, but Northland applied strength at the set piece to keep Tasman under pressure.
Tasman captain and second five-eighth Andrew Goodman narrowed the margin with a sweetly struck 40-metre penalty, but barely a minute later Northland crossed for their second try, set up by fullback and skipper Jared Payne, and dotted down by inside centre Aaron Bancroft.
Munro added the extras and Northland led 12-3 after 20 minutes. Goodman's second penalty five minutes later closed the gap to six, but Northland's defence held strong as halftime neared and they went into the break with a 12-6 lead.
Five minutes into the second half, Bancroft crossed for his second after Northland forced the turnover inside their 22 and moved the ball wide.
Munro nailed the conversion and Northland looked comfortable with a 19-6 lead.
Tasman retained most of the ball possession in the second half and closed the gap to 19-9 with a penalty kick by Goodman with 10 minutes remaining.
Ferris noted No8 Cam Eyre and Bancroft as standout players for running good lines, creating opportunities and their effectiveness on both defence and attack.
However, he praised the team as a collective for all doing their job.
Assistant coach and forwards specialist Derren Witcombe said the set piece was an area of concern heading into the match but both the lineouts and scrums showed improvement and the work they had done preseason was starting to pay off, with Northland losing only two of their own lineouts.
"We're happy to get a win first up - it was a good game," he said.
It was a great start to the pair's first season at the helm of the Taniwha.
They are hopeful they can repeat the effort this Saturday against Manawatu in Palmerston North.