Auckland maintain NPC lead with win over Waikato

Leaders Auckland maintained their unbeaten start to NPC rugby first division with a free-flowing 40-30 defeat of Waikato at Auckland tonight.

Trailing 15-20 at halftime Auckland had the better of the second spell, ending with five tries to three to run out deserved winners at Eden Park.

Hooker Derren Witcombe crossed for two tries, his second with four minutes remaining to seal a match that saw the lead change hands several times.

With first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea in sparkling form, the Auckland backs constantly made in-roads through the rushing Waikato defence. The other tryscorers were winger Tony Koonwaiyou, centre Ben Atiga and second five-eighth Sam Tuitupou, who were part of some breath-taking hand-to-hand movements.

Waikato were led from the front by captain Steven Bates, who scored their first try as they raced to a 10-0 lead. However, they paid the price for too many missed tackles and difficulties at scrum time.

The other Waikato tries went to flanker Liam Messam and first five-eighth Stephen Donald.

Following their second straight loss, Waikato drop out of the top four for the first time this season.

- NZPA