Makos break Stags duck, win 13-10 [Nelson Mail)
Tasman have finally beaten their Southland bogey after a hard-fought 13-10 ITM Cup rugby win over the Stags at Blenheim's Lansdowne Park last night.
It was Tasman's first win in five encounters between the sides, but were required to defend desperately over the dying minutes before securing their third win of the season.
It was also Southland's fourth straight loss, Tasman always looking the more threatening side despite a host of errors.
Southland took an early 3-0 lead through a second minute penalty success to fullback Marty McKenzie as Tasman made an untidy start to the contest, marred by frustrating handling errors and penalty concessions.
It meant plenty of early possession and field position for the visitors, despite Southland struggling to take advantage of Tasman's benevolence.
In fact it was Tasman who created the first genuine try-scoring opportunity after 25 minutes when lock Joe Wheeler sparked an attack, winger Peter Betham continuing the momentum for centre Kieron Fonotia to be held up on Southland's line.
Tasman continued to infringe, until a brilliant 50m solo try by Betham opened the home team's account, the winger beating five defenders on his way to the line, to give Tasman a 5-3 lead.
Fonotia and fullback Robbie Malneek sparked another threatening attack moments later, undone by another Tasman infringement inside Southland's quarter.
A penetrating sideline run by Tasman left winger James Lowe just minutes before halftime put hooker Quentin MacDonald into space before the inevitable penalty concession again killed the attack stone dead, Tasman taking their 5-3 lead into the break.
Malneek set the locals alight with another brilliant individual try just two minutes after the restart, the fullback gathering the ball 20m out from his own line before veering left and leaving defenders in his wake in an astonshing sprint for the corner to give Tasman a 10-3 lead.
Southland eventually got back on even terms after 24 minutes when substitute halfback Nemia Kenatale got hold of an unsecured Robbie Robinson bomb kick to break deep into Tasman's half, substitute lock Alex Ryan finally emerging from a pileup on the line to barge across. Scott Eade's conversion levelled the scores at 10-all.
Tasman regained the lead at 13-10 through a 28th minute penalty to first five-eighth Hayden Cripps.
Then Tasman held on as Southland attacked at the death before referee Grant Stuart eventually blew fulltime.
Tasman 13 (Peter Betham, Robbie Malneek tries, Hayden Cripps pen) Southland 10 (Alex Ryan try, Marty McKenzie pen, Scott Eade con)
Ht Tasman 5-3.
