Rugby: Taranaki climb to third

James Broadhurst of Taranaki is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Taranaki soared into third spot in the ITM Cup on the back of a solid 28-19 win over Counties Manukau at New Plymouth today.

Starting the day in seventh position, Taranaki overcame a 15-16 halftime deficit to outscore Counties 13-3 in the second half.

Counties, who beat Tasman 23-3 in their last outing, dominated the first quarter with Tim Nanai-Williams kicking two penalities and converting the opening try of the match by prop Simon Lemalu.

Lemalu's try came after second five Tana Umaga set it up with a midfield burst and the prop snaffled the ball off a ruck to score with a storming run down the middle.

But Taranaki came back to take the lead with two tries after first five Willie Ripia had kicked a penalty.

Skipper Craig Clarke set the move up and his team responded with a good work in the build up to freeing speedy wing David Smith who beat opposing wing Ahsee Tuala with ease to dot down for Ripia to convert.

The try of the game followed in the 33rd minute. Taranaki centre George Pisi broke out from five metres and his kick upfield saw fullback Kurt Baker scoring after a 95m chase for the ball.

But Counties retook the lead on the dot of halftime with another Nanai-Williams penalty.

Taranaki took control of the game with Clarke and fellow lock James Broadhurst giving their pack inspiration while halfback Tyson Keats and Ripia pinned Counties down with accurate kicking.

Keats finished off a period of sutained pressure from the start of the second half with a converted try and then Ripia added another two penalties.

Counties only had a Nanai-Williams penalty to celebrate in the second half as they lost direction with their play.

Taranaki 28 (David Smith, Kurt Baker, Tyson Keats tries; Willie Ripia 3 pen, 2 con) Counties Manukau 19 (Simon Lemalu try; Tim Nanai-Williams 4 pen, con)

- NZPA