KEY POINTS:
Taranaki 39
Northland 21
Taranaki's season got a much needed boost when they collected maximum points against Northland last night in New Plymouth.
Whoever lost this match was going to be put in an almost impossible position to make the quarter-finals. So while Taranaki, with easily their most complete display of the season, gave themselves a reprieve and some hope, Northland, already threatened with relegation by board-room decisions, had further obstacles strewn in their way.
But if there was any consolation for Northland, they played their part in providing one of the more entertaining games of a competition which has been marred by too many mediocre contests. After a lively first spell Taranaki, having been behind 10 points at one stage, took an 18-16 lead into the break.
Barely a quarter hour had been played before Northland had jumped to a 13-3 lead. Veteran first five-eighths David Holwell was in excellent goal-kicking form and sustained pressure after a strong run by wing Rene Ranger produced a try to halfback James Rodley.
But every time Northland looked as if they might forge to an unassailable lead Taranaki fought back with commendable spirit. First five-eighths Willie Ripia almost matched Holwell for goal-kicking accuracy and there was an immediate reply to Rodley's try.
Lock Jason Eaton showed it may be too early to discard him as an All Black with an athletic run and the attack was capped with a try, just before he retired injured, by wing Paul Perez.
Taranaki had Northland under severe pressure in the last five minutes of the spell and after wing Shayne Austin had been foiled by a fine piece of defence by Northland fullback Jared Payne the Taniwha finally ran out of tackles and Taranaki's Welsh import, centre Jonathan Spratt crossed for the first of his three tries.
Early in the second spell Taranaki took an even tighter grip on the game and quickly had their third and fourth tries for a much needed bonus point.
An inaccurate lineout throw by Northland hooker Tyler Ashworth was punished when Taranaki attacked, and with flanker Scott Waldrom joining the backline, replacement back Jack Cameron scored.
Northland's defences were cracked again with Spratt gaining his second try. With Ripia converting both tries a 32-16 lead suddenly meant Northland were left with an almost hopeless task.
Taranaki 39 (J Spratt 3, P Perez, J Cameron tries, W Ripia 4 conversions, 2 penalties)
Northland 21 (J Rodley, F Vainikolo tries, D Holwell conversion, 3 penalties) HT: 18-16.
