CarCo the Mako Says
Hi Makos FINatics.
The tough aspect of the ITM Cup is to fit 10 regular season matches in to nine weeks. This calls for each Union to play 3 matches between two weekends, and this week it is our turn. Wellington last Friday, North Harbour last night and then Auckland in Blenheim on Sunday.
This Sunday in Blenheim should be a great afternoon with the sun on our backs and a quality Auckland team visiting. There’s lots going on from the time the gates open at 2pm with a curtain raiser, our famous Ladies area and heaps for the kids to do as well.
The match against was billed as a battle of two division leaders by the media, and as a Test match by us. To come away from the capital with another bonus point victory was never going to be achieved, but achieved it was. The first half included a heap of errors but wayward goal kicking by the Lions had the good guys ahead at the break.
After an early Lions try the Makos kicked in to gear, putting on 4 excellent tries to secure the win and bonus point. It was a game where no one player stood out but plenty played well. The five team units each nominated a different player for Makoman, however for the first time this season no player received two or more votes.
Halfback Billy Guyton did get the Ironman award for his defence by the coaches, and lock Alex Ainley picked up the MakoXcell award for his tireless work in the dark spaces at rucks and mauls.
FINAL WHISTLE: Tasman 36 (Pete Samu, Marco Kotze, Kieron Fonotia, Shane Christie tries, Marty Banks 2 pen, 2 con, David Havili 2 pen) v Wellington 17 (Frae Wilson, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Wes Goosen tries, Jonny Bentley con). Ht 6-5.
Five days later the team needed to front up against a Championship division team, North Harbour, that have been a bogey team of ours having won 5 of the 6 previous encounters.
The first 20 minutes saw the Makos race out to a 14 – nil lead through tries to Jimmy Cowan & Vils Lolohea, both converted by Trent Renata. Harbour, as they do against us, tighten things up in the forward to score 13 points of their own in the second 20 minutes. The Makos went to the sheds and their coaches ahead by only 14-13.
No doubt the coaches adjusted the game plan and 2 minutes in winger Vils Lolohea went in for his second after a special 50 metre solo effort. Tries then followed to Lolohea again for his hat-trick, to replacement Marty Banks on a 60 metre special and finally to winger Mitchell Scott who finished nicely in the corner.
Harbour then replied with a converted try before Marty nailed a final penalty to secure the 39-20 bonus point victory.
FINAL WHISTLE: Tasman 39 (Viliami Lolohea 3, Jimmy Cowan, Marty Banks, Mitchell Scott tries; Trent Renata 2 con, Mart Banks pen, con) v North Harbour 20 (Nafi Tuitavake, Michael Little tries; Daniel Halangahu 2 pen, 2 con). HT 14 -3.
The team now has only 3 days to rest and recover before taking on Auckland at Lansdowne Park, Blenheim this Sunday at 4.35pm.
Gates will open at 2pm with a 2.20pm curtain raiser between Tasman Maori and Wellington Maori. It’s also our Farmlands Family Day and everyone is invited to wear their favourite onesie.
The famous Yealands Wine Ladies (18+) area will also be open from 3.30pm with $20 tickets available to pre-buy at Thomas’s. These will also be available at the Gates and includes a complimentary drink at entry and finger foods. Ladies, wine and bubbly will be available to purchase.
As always the best bet is to pre-purchase your tickets before getting to the ground to enable quick access through the gates. Two more outlets have been added at the i-Sites in Blenheim & Picton.
Ticketing outlets this season are Floorpride Civic Theatre and i-Site in Blenheim, Picton i-Site, Nelson i-Site, Richmond Mall and your nearest NBS branch or you can buy easily online at www.makos.co.nz .
For ITM Cup, even though RWCA Kids 12 Years & Younger are Free they will need to be ticketed with a paying customer (4 kids per adult) so we can keep track of our attendance data and keep everyone safe and accounted for.
I’ll see you there at Shark Park on Sunday.
Fins Up! CarCo the Mako
CarCo the Mako is proudly supported by the The Car Company and will be at community and other sporting events throughout the season as well as at all home matches.
