Mitch Hunt and Will Jordan shine in big win over Northland

Tasman have continued their superb season with a 52-6 demolition of Northland at Trafalgar Park.

After a slow start the Mako exploded to life in the 26th minute when Will Jordan finished off a classy break by Highlanders-bound Mitch Hunt – and it wasn't the last time those two names were mentioned.

Indeed, Jordan showed his skill and pace again by running almost the length of the field in the 65th minute for a fine individual try as the home side ran away with the game.

That try from Jordan, playing in his preferred No 15 jersey, had extended Tasman's lead to 33-6 and from there they pushed past the half-century mark to make it a miserable trip south for the Northlanders.  

With Hunt pulling the strings nicely, Tasman simply had too much firepower all across the paddock and the took a 19-6 lead into the break.

They quickly added to that tally with a nice try to Jamie Spowart – Hunt again playing a hand in the five pointer – and with Hunt also having a good day with the boot the Mako could afford to go to their bench early to give the likes of workhorse lock Quinten Strange an early finish.

If the visitors thought that would mean some respite, however, they were sadly mistaken and the reserves kept up the pressure with Wyatt Crockett and Tim O'Malley adding their names to the scoresheet as the Mako ran away with the comfortable bonus-point victory.

The final quarter emphasised just how much depth Tasman have at their disposal with Pari Pari Parkinson throwing his considerable frame around and in this sort of form they look more like a Super Rugby team than a provincial rugby side.

The Mako now travel to Napier to take on Hawkes Bay next Saturday in what will be a sterner test, but they still look like warm favourites to be crowned Mitre 10 Premiership champions.

The trip to Hawkes Bay wraps up the regular season and the Mako will be determined to go all the way when the final takes place on October 26.