Taranaki struggle to first victory

Manawatu 12 Taranaki 18

Maybe it was the wind. Or maybe Taranaki just didn't take Manawatu seriously enough after the latter's 43-0 whipping by Tasman last week. Whatever it was, the Naki had a troublesome time before keeping Manawatu in the zero victories column of the Air NZ Cup yesterday.

Taranaki were also winless before this and maybe that was reason enough for their ordinary showing - although it was more likely the try they scored after just two minutes.

Manawatu first five-eighths Ryan Bambry took too long with a clearing kick, Taranaki hooker Laurence Corlett charged it down, got a bountiful bounce and scored - and it looked like the Tasman was about to break all over Manawatu again.

Playing into a stiff breeze, Taranaki seemed to lose their urgency and Bambry made up for his error by sparking a move which saw lock Hayden Triggs score. Taranaki recovered to lead 12-7 at the break after a lightning ruck break from halfback Brendon Haami following some good Taranaki pressure.

They pulled out to 18-7 after penalties from Miah Nikora with the wind at his back in the second half and that should have been the point when Manawatu fell away.

Manawatu looked no better than a club side when being Tasmanned last week but in this match, they summoned up cohesiveness and energy. Bambry ran to good effect and flanker Nick Crosswell led the charge as the green-and-white forwards began to contest well at ruck and maul.

Replacement hooker Nathan Kemp barelled over after a driving charge by the forwards and Taranaki had to work hard to keep Manawatu out of their half.

For Taranaki, big prop Census Johnson was a force with captain Paul Tito providing his usual all-out effort and flanker Jarrad Hoeata getting through a power of tackling. Centre Matt Harvey was one of the few capable of troubling defences.

Manawatu were at their best playing pick-and-go and, in fact, any phase which allowed forwards like Triggs and Crosswell to drive on. They ended the game attacking hard but, too often, matters broke down at key moments and so it proved after 80 minutes with Manawatu's go-for-glory surrendering to another handling error. But at least they got their first bonus point.

Manawatu 12 (H. Triggs, N. Kemp tries; R. Bambry con).
Taranaki 18 (L. Corlett, B. Haami tries; M. Nikora con, 2 pens).
HT: Taranaki 12-7.