Marty versus the Taniwha [Nelson Mail]
A record-breaking performance by first five-eighth Marty Banks helped the Tasman Makos to a tense 28-13 ITM Cup win over Northland in Whangarei last night.
Banks' seven penalties and a spectacular last-minute converted try saw the slender No 10 score all the team's points to set a new individual match record for the province, beating the 26 points scored by Tom Marshall against Bay of Plenty in 2006.
Even more critically, Tasman's flattering win ended a two-match losing streak against Northland to help keep the Makos on top of the championship points table for at least another week.
Banks is used to setting new standards. Last season he scored a record 131 points for Heartland championship team Buller on their way to the Lochore Cup title. After last night's stellar contribution, he has now scored 79 points for Tasman in just four appearances.
Each team managed just one try last night, fullback Mathew Wright crossing for Northland late in the first half, after flanker Matt Pryor and wing Rene Ranger had done the spadework to help give Wright a clear run to the line.
But with Banks' accurate right boot continuing to chip away at the scoreboard, Tasman were able to sustain a tentative lead for most of a tight, scrappy contest.
Banks' four first-half penalties edged Tasman to a 12-10 halftime lead. Then, with the Makos holding a 21-13 lead late in the match, it wasn't until Banks latched on to a spilled Northland pass inside Tasman's quarter with time virtually up that the visitors earned any significant breathing space.
His spectacular 80m sprint, and a final dummy to slow a covering Ranger's progress, eventually saw him score in the corner. He then coolly added the difficult sideline conversion to complete a remarkable individual contribution.
Tasman coach Kieran Keane confirmed as much after an otherwise angst-ridden contest.
"I thought Marty had an absolutely outstanding game," said Keane.
"He made probably one mistake, but his kicking, his running and his direction were very good, and he needs to be congratulated for that."
Still, with Keane and assistant coach Leon MacDonald electing to rest several key players last night, Tasman often struggled to execute against the bottom-placed Taniwha, who were desperate to salvage something from their season.
No 8 Vernon Fredericks missed Tasman's best first-half try-scoring opportunity when he spilled the ball attempting to leap over a ruck right on Northland's line.
Wing Mitchell Scott and centre Kieron Fonotia made several impressive line breaks before spilled passes or desperate Northland defence saw the final crucial transfers go to ground.
Scott finally appeared to score late in the second half, after wing Bryce Heem had sparked a movement from inside Tasman's quarter. Heem's eventual kick ahead bounced kindly for the fast-following Scott, who crossed between the posts - only for referee Mike Fraser, after conferring with his TMO, to rule a knock-on by Heem at the other end of the field.
It all contributed to a messy and frustrating night for the visitors, despite Tasman banking another valuable four championship points.
"It was good to have a win," said Keane.
"It was do or die from Northland's point of view. They put a bit of pressure on, a bit of heat, and unfortunately we folded a couple of times. So that was a bit disappointing.
"There were a lot of opportunities in my book, [and] we didn't create much from those, obviously. It was what I'd call an untidy performance. We had ample possession and field position and we didn't convert those two factors."
As they'd done three weeks ago in their upset loss to previously bottom-placed North Harbour, Tasman's mistakes increased their vulnerability against a Northland team willing to keep the ball in hand.
"We made life hard for ourselves because we seemed to take some pretty average options at times," said Keane.
"With a wee bit more patience and a little bit more discipline . . . I think we would have done really well. But we get anxious, get a little bit flakey, then we just turn over possession and we have to struggle like hell and make life hard for ourselves."
Flanker Gary Redmond had a lively first half before injury forced his retirement shortly after the break. Props Siua Halanukonuka and Sila Puafisi again helped to anchor a dominant Tasman scrum and also enjoyed the opportunity to run with the ball.
Scott and Fonotia frequently threatened on attack, although it was Banks who upstaged everyone as he continued his successful transition from Heartland to ITM Cup rugby.
