Tasman beats Otago [Nelson Mail]
Tasman survived a huge scare from championship team Otago before escaping with a 32-24 national provincial championship rugby win in Nelson today.
Otago brought plenty of commitment and attitude to the contest although Tasman just did enough to clinch the most desperate of bonus-point wins.
Otago were finally rewarded for their early territorial dominance with a penalty success to No 10 Hayden Parker to give the visitors a deserved 3-0 lead after 17 minutes.
Tasman struggled to get into the game as a misfiring lineout and handling errors ensured plenty of territory and possession for Otago.
It took Tasman all of 30 minutes to finally build some momentum and establish some field position. Halfback Jimmy Cowan eventually capitalised, creating a chance for centre Kieron Fonotia to dive over from phase ball on Otago's line and help put Tasman ahead 7-3 following Marty Banks' easy conversion.
Otago regained the lead at 10-7 just three minutes later when more pressure on Tasman's line saw second five-eighth Jayden Spence cross out wide. But Tasman were back in the frame once again when midfielder David Havili skipped clear from 20m out just three minutes before halftime to put the home team ahead 14-10 at the break.
Otago struck again just five minutes after the restart flanker Naulia Dawai creating a turnover inside his own half to eventually set fellow loosie Hugh Blake free on a withering 40m sideline sprint for the try and a 17-14 lead.
Tasman continued to pay the price for pushing their passes, a try to substitute winger Mitchell Scott disallowed after 11 minutes following intervention from the TMO.
Instead it was Otago who compounded Tasman's problems when substitute hooker San Anderson-Heather burrowed across from an attacking lineout to give Tasman some distance at 24-14. A Banks penalty reduced the margin to 24-17 after 16 minutes.
Tasman's loose forwards Vernon Fredericks, Shane Christie and Tevita Koloamtatangi provided the thrust for halfback Jimmy Cowan to score their third try, Banks adding the difficult angled conversion to lock up the scores at 24-24 heading into the final quarter.
Tasman's substitute prop Ross Geldenhuys broke the deadlock after some solid buildup by the tight forwards had the big front rower across for a 29-24 lead with 11 minutes remaining.
A Banks penalty in the final minute sealed the win.
Tasman 32 (Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Jimmy Cowan, Ross Geldenhuys tries, Marty Banks 3 cons, 2 pens) Otago 24 (Jayden Spence, Hugh Blake, Sam Anderson-Heather tries, Hayden Parker pen, 3 cons) HT: 14-10
- The Nelson Mai
