Sloppy Northland facing uphill fight

9.30pm - By WYNNE GRAY

WELLINGTON 51 NORTHLAND 18

Northland are still without an NPC win and cannot complain.

Wellington should be grateful they faced such a sloppy opposition on a night when their own skills were erratic until late in the game.

However, they cantered away to a bonus point win after the disappointing loss last week to Southland.

In a spirited but untidy match, Wellington made the vital break in the shadow of halftime.

They were backpedalling on defence deep in their own half when the ball spilled free and, with some clever interplay, replacement Wellington wing Lome Fa'atau ran away to score 70m downfield.

It gave Wellington a 23-8 lead at the break, a significant advantage after they had conceded a weak try midway through the spell.

Fullback Christian Cullen was very lax covering a bouncing ball in-goal and the following Fero Lasagavibau was awarded the try.

Not for the first time in the competition, if there had been a television match official there would have been a different ruling, but it was an appropriate get-square as Wellington's opening try also appeared dubious.

Referee Bryce Lawrence allowed Kupu Vanisi to scavenge a ball which appeared to be in a ruck and yet to leave Northland's control. That decision caught Northland out on defence and when the ball was spread wide, Brad Fleming surged on for a simple try.

Wellington immediately built on their halftime superiority as Riki Flutey beat the line with a great step to give Tana Umaga a stroll to the tryline.

Northland had chances to reply from a series of close lineout drives, but their fumbles and Wellington's defence held the visitors out. Vula Maimuri ran in an individual try to hint at a comeback, but the remaining tries went to the home side.

Vanisi, Cullen and Fa'atau scored in a frantic final 10 minutes as Wellington finally showed some timing and suggested they had trained together during the week. It added a heap of gloss to the previous dross.

Wellington 51 (L. Fa'atau 2, B. Fleming, T. Umaga, K. Vanisi, C. Cullen, tries; R. Flutey 3 pen, 3 con, D. Holwell, 3 con.)

Northland 18 (F. Lasagavibau, V. Maimuri, tries; R. Finch 2 pen, con). HT: 23-8