Banks stars in bonus-point win

Editor

Tasman closed the gap on second-placed Auckland to one point as they won 49-31 at Eden Park in a thrilling Mitre 10 Cup clash on Thursday.

Marty Banks kicked 26 points off the tee in the bonus-point victory, with Auckland also scoring four tries to pick up a point from the game.

Pete Samu and Tim Perry scored first-half tries for the Makos before David Havili and Quinten Strange crossed after the break, with Banks continuing to add to their tally with a total of six penalties and four conversions. Havili also chipped in with a penalty for his in-form team.

In reply, Scott Scrafton, Pryor Collier and Lolagi Visinia (2) scored tries for the hosts, who missed the opportunity to close in on Canterbury.

The scorers:

For Auckland:
Tries: Scrafton, Collier, Visinia 2
Cons: Hickey 4
Pen: Hickey

For Tasman:
Tries: Samu, Perry, Havili, Strange
Cons: Banks 4
Pens: Banks 6, Havili

Auckland: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Lolagi Visinia, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Vince Aso, 11 Pryor Collier, 10 Simon Hickey, 9 Jono Hickey, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Akira Ioane, 6 Liaki Moli, 5 Michael Fatialofa, 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Sam Prattley
Replacements: 16 Blake Hill, 17 Tom McHugh, 18 James Lay, 19 Ben Nee Nee, 20 Josh Kaifa, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Liam Steel, 23 Latiume Fosita

Tasman: 15 Mitchell Hunt, 14 Tima Faingaanuku, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 David Havili, 11 Caleb Makene, 10 Marty Banks, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Pete Samu, 7 Shane Christie, 6 Tevita Koloamatangi, 5 Alex Ainley, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Tim Perry
Replacements: 16 Jesse MacDonald, 17 Kane Hames, 18 Siua Halanukonuka, 19 Ethan Blackadder, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Trael Joass, 23 Viliami Lolohea

Referee: Glen Jackson