Tasman hold on to upset Auckland in Nelson [Nelson Mail]

Auckland will be claiming some sort of Trafalgar Park hoodoo after they were upset 30-28 by an inspired Tasman Makos team in tonight's national provincial rugby clash in Nelson.

Auckland have now played two national provincial matches in Nelson and have lost them both, also losing 12-8 in 2009. But Auckland substitute first five-eighth Gareth Anscombe had the chance to wreck Tasman's celebration of No 8 Mark Bright's 50th match when he lined up the conversion to centre Hadleigh Parkes' try after the fulltime hooter had sounded.

Mercifully for Tasman, the kick missed, handing Tasman just their second win of the season and denying Auckland a chance to go to the top of the Premiership table.

Each team scored three tries, with first five-eighth James Marshall, Bright and finally skipper Andrew Goodman scoring for Tasman and fullback, midfielder Teddy Stanaway and Parkes contributing Auckland's five pointers.

The score was tied at 17-all at the break, with Tasman eventually holding a 30-23 lead with time up on the clock. A clever cross kick by Anscombe found No 8 Chris Lowrey out wide who knocked the ball down for Parkes to score. Anscombe couldn't deliver the crucial blow.

Tasman deserved their win, their commitment and energy eventually enough to overcome the Aucklanders, with Bright, flankers Shane Christie and Liam Squire, lock Joe Wheeler and prop Sam Prattley the outstanding contributors in a spirited Tasman forward effort.

Auckland held the lead twice in the match at 17-10 and again at 20-17 directly after the restart. But for once, Tasman maintained their second half composure, with Goodman's 13th minute try after some excellent build up by Bright and Christie, the catalyst for an outstanding win.

Tasman 30 (James Marshall, Mark Bright, Andrew Goodman tries; Goodman 3 pen, 3 con) Auckland 28 (Brent Ward, Teddy Stanaway, Hadleigh Parkes tries; Piers Francis pen, 2 con, Gareth Anscombe 2 pen). Halftime: 17-17.