News

Taranaki run riot over Northland

Friday 29th August 2008

On the board: Paul Perez had to settle for one touchdown

Taranaki ran away with a comprehensive 39-21 bonus-point win over Northland at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth on Friday.

Welsh import Jonathan Spratt played a key role in lifting Taranaki off the base of the Air New Zealand Cup standings, by picking up a hat-trick of tries for his adopted team.

With the wind behind them and deft kicking by fly-half David Holwell, Northland had early territorial advantage.

Penalty exchanges put Northland 6-3 ahead and the hosts stretched that lead out even further when scrum-half James Rodley dummied his way to score between the posts.

But Taranaki quickly countered when lock Jason Eaton hurried off at pace in midfield to set up wing Paul Perez for a try.

The hosts then took a one-point 18-16 lead just before half-time when Spratt scored following a period of concerted forward pressure near the Northland line.

Two minutes after the re-start, flanker Scott Waldrom hit the back-line at pace, only to link up with Spratt, who lobbed the ball to replacement back Jack Cameron for the five-pointer.

Spratt was over again after he was handed a nice pass from centre Jayden Hayward which fed him into space.

Northland bounced back when Holwell set marauding wing Fetu'u Vainikolo off on a run towards the line, breaking four tackles before dotting down for a great individual try.

But solid Taranaki defence kept Northland at bay for the rest of the game, and Spratt pounced on a spilled Northland ball to score his third try at the death.

The scorers:

For Taranaki:
Tries: Perez, Spratt 3, Cameron
Con: Ripia 4
Pen: Ripia 2

For Northland:
Tries: Rodley, Vainikolo
Con: Holwell
Pen: Holwell 3

Taranaki: 15 Aselemo Malo, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Shayne Austin, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Goodin, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Nemia Soqeta, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Hamish Mitchell, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Tony Penn (c).
Replacements: 16 James Annabell, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Tom Ryder, 19 Chris Walker, 20 Brendan Hiini, 21 Corey Niwa, 22 Jack Cameron.

Northland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Aden Dewes, 12 Leo Taliu, 11 Fetu Vainikolo, 10 David Holwell, 9 James Rodley, 8 Blair Urlich, 7 Hamish Paterson, 6 Justin Collins (c), 5 Marty Veale, 4 Dan Goodwin3 Bronson Murray, 2 Tyler Ashworth, 1 Tevita Mailau.
Replacements: 16 Francis Smith, 17 Justin Davies, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 - John Cocker, 20 Brenton Helleur, 21 Ash Moeke, 22 Mike Davis.

Venue: Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Television match official: Brent Murray