Tasman survive late scare against Waikato to secure first win
Tasman fullback Will Jordan looks for support.
The Tasman Makos have survived a late scare to finally break their Mitre 10 Cup duck.
Sunday's dramatic premiership 31-29 rugby win over Waikato in Hamilton was their first of the season and after previous losses to Canterbury and Manawatu, a third straight defeat could have heaped all sorts of unnecessary pressure on last year's beaten finalists.
However, a desperate finish almost saw Waikato snatch a late draw when halfback Tawera Kerr Barlow dived across from an attacking scrum. But reserve first five-eighth Mathew Landsdowne missed the conversion and Tasman were home.
Tasman midfielder David Havili shadows Waikato fullback Zac Guildford.
Tasman delivered a much more convincing performance and although still frustrated by handling errors, were able to apply plenty of pressure to a weary Waikato side playing their third game in a week.
There was more energy and intent in Tasman's performance and although they led just 14-12 at the break, dominated the early second half exchanges, including two converted tries, to ensure that they'd be heading back north with their first crucial competition points in the bank.
Tasman looked a much more settled side from the outset, and although an improvement from their efforts against Manawatu, were still guilty of turning over possession in contact.
Tasman loosies Ethan Blackadder, left, and Jordan Taufua halt Waikato halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow's progress.
They'd made a promising start, applying early pressure on Waikato's line. But a slipped tackle by Waikato fullback Zac Guilford enabled Waikato to spread the ball wide with a slick pass by winger Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara creating space for loosehead prop Loni Uhila to lope across in at the corner for the game's opening try.
However, Tasman struck back just minutes later when halfback Billy Guyton showed impressive strength on Waikato's line to burst through several tackles for a 7-5 lead.
It didn't take long for Crusaders and All Blacks utiltiy David Havili to show his class, firing out a long pass to unmarked flanker Vernon Fredericks for Tasman's second try and a handy 14-5 lead. But exciting Waikato centre Sevu Reece struck back quickly as the end-to-end action continued.
Waikato's backs were a constant threat although Tasman scrambled effectively on defence to stifle some dangerous attacks. Tasman's set pieces were a mixture and while solid at scrum time, struggled with their lineouts.
Ahead 14-12 at the break, Tasman struck through a slick try to fullback Will Jordan directly after the restart. And when No 8 Jordan Taufua followed him across minutes later from an attacking scrum for their bonus point try, Tasman had suddenly stretched their lead out to a commanding 28-12.
A yellow card to winger James Lowe with 15 minutes remaining created some unnecessary pressure on Tasman, a try to Waikato reserve hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho compounding Tasman's anxiety.
Still down a man, Tasman were punished once again when fullback Zac Guilford crossed out wide to reduce Tasman's lead to 31-24 with around four minutes remaining.
Tasman were desperate to get their hands on the ball over the dying stages as Waikato threw everything into stealing a late draw. But Tasman survived the last minute theatrics to secure victory.
Outstanding No 8 Taufua and Ethan Blackadder and locks Alex Ainley and Shannon Frizell were the key figures in Tasman's forward effort. Havili was a welcome return to Tasman's backline with some clever touches and Lowe kept Waikato's defence honest.
Tasman head coach Leon MacDonald was delighted to have secured the five crucial points.
"We fell into some old habits of the last couple of weeks at the end there and there was a bit of ticker and desperation but again, it was just a couple of critical errors when we had possession down in their 22 at the end that gave them a sniff and that nearly cost us," he said.
"But that was the last five or 10 minutes which probably took away from some of the good stuff we did, particularly after halftime when we started to build our game and get some cohesion, which is what we we'd been lacking those first two weeks.
"So I was really pleased to see us be able to string some phases together and be a little bit more disciplined around holding possession."
Now the focus switches to a resurgent Wellington team in Blenheim next Sunday.
"We'll just keep working hard. We've worked pretty hard the last three weeks and we're making really good progress and although we'll bank the five points, our attitude won't change about how we go about our week again."
AT A GLANCE
Tasman 31 (Billy Guyton, Vernon Fredericks, Will Jordan, Jordan Taufua tries, Mitch Hunt 4 con, pen) Waikato 29(Loni Uhila, Sevu Reece, Samisoni Taukei'aho, Zac Guilford, Tawera Kerr Barlow tries, Mathew Landsdowne 2 con) HT: 14-12
