Northland 19 Tasman 9
It doesn't matter how much ball you have, it's what you do with it that counts.
Tasman dominated possession and territory against Northland yesterday but could muster only three penalties to second five-eighths Andrew Goodman against a rushing Northland defence.
They were often their own worst enemies and all three Northland tries came from Tasman mistakes. The first two came when the Makos failed to clear Northland kicks ahead and the third early in the second half from turnover ball in their own 22.
Whenever they looked dangerous, they either turned the ball over or ran out of options. They were outplayed at the breakdown and also missed touch at crucial times.
Northland built a reputation as an attacking team in 2010 - they scored the second-most points of any team in the competition behind Wellington last year but finished 10th - but they relied a lot on their defence yesterday.
Northland also showed some much-needed grunt up front and in the set pieces. It was their Achille's heel in 2010 and has been an area of considerable focus in pre-season. Returning lock Bryce Williams was the dominant figure in the lineouts and the Taniwha scrum was usually on the front foot.
It would have heartened new forwards coach Derren Witcombe, who is determined his coaching career last a lot longer than his playing one - the former All Blacks hooker was forced to retire at 28 after a serious neck injury.
It would also have pleased Bryce Woodward, the Blues assistant who quit Northland at the end of last season. He's handed over to Adriaan Ferris but was in the coach's box yesterday and has acted as a mentor to both Ferris and Witcombe.
Yesterday's win reversed a recent trend - Tasman had won four of the last five games between the two sides - and was the perfect start for the Taniwha. Flanker Daniel Faleafa scored Northland's first try of the night in the fourth minute after Tasman couldn't deal with a Rene Ranger grubber and Aaron Bancroft was first to another stab ahead to give the home side a 12-3 lead.
Bancroft completed their scoring in the 45th minute, he stepped inside a covering defence to grab his second try of the night, and they looked largely comfortable as the clock wound down.
Northland have a week to recover but Tasman aren't so lucky. Yesterday's game was the first of three in eight days and they take on North Harbour on Tuesday. They will hope they can do a bit more with the ball when they have it.
Northland 19 (A. Bancroft 2, D. Faleafa tries; L. Munro 2 cons) Tasman 9 (A. Goodman 3 pens). HT: 12-6.
