Marko the Mako says...
Sunday was our Farmlands Family Day and a massive crowd turned up to watch our Golden Edge Tasman Makos finally overcome a committed Otago team by 32 - 24.
The bonus point win has the Makos in equal top spot with Taranaki with 2 rounds of regular season footy to go. Interestingly both of us have third placed Canterbury to play, Tasman this weekend and Taranaki the following.
A crowd of 6,000 showed up on Sunday, many dressed in onesies, to enjoy the bouncy castles, free flags for the kiddies, and a traditional Sunday afternoon family friendly timeslot. The rugby on offer didn’t disappoint either with Otago making the Makos work very hard for a win that did not eventuate until deep into the second half.
For the Makos, halfback Jimmy Cowan had an enormous influence on the match outcome by playing his best match in the red & blue. He was ably supported by no. 8 Vernon Fredericks and winger Bryce Heem, both of who were very impressive.
The Makos bench also added much needed energy and fresh legs the further the match went on. All in all it was a must win match that this team were determined to seal. And they did.
Tasman 32 (Kieron Fonotia, David Havili, Jimmy Cowan, Ross Geldenhuys tries, Marty Banks 3 cons, 2 pens) v Otago 24 (Jayden Spence, Hugh Blake, Sam Anderson-Heather tries, Hayden Parker pen, 3 cons) HT: 14-10
It would be no surprise to anyone who watched the match that Jimmy Cowan was named by his team mates and coaches as the week’s Makoman. Skipper Shane Christie was voted the Ironman for his defensive effort.
Talking to Shane at the Turf Hotel after-match function, I mentioned that two years ago we might have lost a close match like this one. To which Shane replied “this is not two years ago”. Gotta love our captain.
The Makos next game is this Saturday in Christchurch against Canterbury at 7.35pm. Our next home game is the following Sunday 12 Oct, 4.35pm when Counties-Manukau and Sonny Bill Williams come to Lansdowne Park, Blenheim to play.
Fins Up, Marko
