North Harbour 15
Waikato 0
KEY POINTS:
Almost 12 months to the day since receiving from Waikato a record Ranfurly Shield defeat, North Harbour gained some retribution with victory over the Mooloo men in yesterday's provincial premiership match.
But that was probably the last thing Harbour celebrated in their Albany dressing room immediately afterwards. More important was that after a horror start to this season's top-flight provincial competition, North Harbour finally had a win.
"When you get to round four and have had three losses and there are not many teams behind you it's important to get that win, regardless of how it is done," coach Wayne Pivac said.
And certainly yesterday's victory was not achieved in any great style. In a game which reflected each side's lowly table positions Harbour scrambled to a win which was more a tribute to the side's character rather than its class.
The two sides, having both made many errors and indulged in aimless kicking, were locked at 10-all midway through the second spell when the match was sealed by a rare passage of constructive rugby.
Halfback Chris Smylie, one of Harbour's best players, made a strong burst into the Waikato 22 and from the resulting ruck his captain and inside-back partner Jimmy Gopperth cut back to the short side and sent replacement loose forward Richard Mayhew over for what proved to be the winning try.
Earlier Waikato had looked as if they might be gaining an edge, drawing level with their second try when first five-eighths Stephen Donald, whose All Black class was frequently evident, sent his winger Tim Mikkelson over with a well-timed pass.
After a stodgy first spell, Harbour led 10-5 at the break, which was probably deserved because for the most part they had an edge, especially in set pieces.
Waikato, though, gained the first try with Donald breaking from his 10m mark, chipping a kick into the clear and gaining a favourable bounce to beat Harbour's defence.
But that was quickly countered by similar flair from one of Harbour's returning All Blacks. Centre Anthony Tuitavake followed a backline raid from an attacking line-out capped the movement with a deft piece of handing.
A frustrating day for Waikato was climaxed when their final attack was thwarted by what to them appeared to be a marginal turn-over. The side now has only a draw to show for its four matches this season - they are the only side without a win - and coach Tony Hanks confirmed his young charges were gutted.
On top of many other instances of bad luck, a horror injury run to front-row specialists was adding to Waikato's woes and lack of confidence.
A sole bonus point has left Waikato in 12th place on the table, just ahead of Taranaki and Counties-Manukau.
Canterbury on Saturday night moved to third on the table, behind unbeaten Wellington and Bay of Plenty, with a 14-0 win over Taranaki in a dull match in New Plymouth. Hawke's Bay were the other big movers, going to fifth with a 41-6 hammering of Tasman in Blenheim.
