Rugby: Northland edge out Taranaki

Northland proved a shade too strong for Taranaki, edging out the amber and blacks 27-23 in their NPC rugby clash in Whangarei last night.

The home side outscored the visitors four tries to two and led 27-10 at halftime.

Matt Webber and Jason Hita each scored tries for the home side with Brett Waaka dotting down twice before the first half was out.

Star Northland winger Norm Berryman featured in much of the play, helping set up Hita's try and almost scoring one of his own after a 60m run down the park.

Taranaki played catch-up in the second half, with Lomie Fa'atau and Mepi Faoagali crossing the line and Daryl Lilley kicking two conversions and three penalties.

But Northland managed to hold out and take a bonus point from the match to sit at sixth on the points table, while Taranaki languish at eighth.

- IRN