Waldrom brothers spark Wellington win

WELLINGTON 33 BAY OF PLENTY 13

Wellington's Waldrom brothers darkened Bay of Plenty's bright start to the NPC first division rugby competition, scoring three tries between them in the 33-13 win at Westpac Stadium here tonight.


The loose forward siblings Thomas and Scott finished off some sparkling moves as Wellington bounced back from last week's disappointing loss to North Harbour.


Going into the game in eighth place, Wellington climbed to third with the bonus point win, outlining the tight nature of the competition.


Bay of Plenty, who have been impressive in their four previous games this season, made too many mistakes after dominating the first 20 minutes. They drop to eighth themselves.


The Bay led 10-0 after 20 minutes let themselves down defensively and paid for the sinbinning of replacement hooker Ngarimu Simpkins late in the first half.


Up only 21-13 with more than a quarter of the game remaining, Wellington sealed the result when first Thomas, then Scott, crossed within four minutes of each other.


Wellington led 11-10 at the break following an even first half.


There was only one try each in the first half but both were created by slick backline moves.


An early Jackson penalty attempt struck the crossbar but there was no such problem in the 12th minute when he opened the scoring.


Jackson crossed five minutes later for the game's opening try, doubling around centre Allan Bunting who delivered a delicate no-look pass to send the first five over between the posts.


Wellington's response came via a double-around from halfback Jason Spice which put fullback Christian Cullen in space. Cullen delivered the final pass to Thomas Waldrom who stormed 20m to score.


First five-eighth David Holwell missed the conversion but kicked two penalties late in the first half to inch his side in front.


The second penalty came when replacement Simpkins delivered a vicious swinging arm at Spice which left the halfback prone. Simpkins was given a yellow card following a report from the third match official.


They paid for it two minutes into the second half when Wellington second five-eighth Paul Steinmetz finished off after a nice break from Holwell.


A Jackson penalty kept Bay of Plenty within range but Thomas Waldrom benefitted from some nice work by Spice, Cullen and Holwell to barge over for his second. Brother Scott secured the bonus point which puts Wellington firmly in the playoff picture.

- NZPA

NPC points table