Canterbury back in the hunt

Editor

Canterbury got their ITM Cup campaign back on track with a 28-13 victory over Northland in Christchurch on Sunday.

Canterbury got their ITM Cup campaign back on track with a 28-13 victory over Northland in Christchurch on Sunday.

The three-time defending champions came from behind to beat the Taniwah and register their fourth win in seven outings.

The visitors raced into a handy 13-point lead early on, but Canterbury fought back to trail by just three points (10-13) at the break.

The defending champions took the lead for the first time ten minutes into the second half after lock Luke Romano powered over.

Penalties by Canterbury pivot Tyler Bleyendaal and his replacement Tom Taylor followed, before full-back Johnny McNicholl crossed for his side's bonus point try that also sealed the deal for the home side.

Canterbury: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Telusa Veainu, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Patrick Osborne, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Nasi Manu,7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock (c), 5 Ash Parker, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala,2 Ben Funnell, 1 Andrew Olorenshaw,
Replacements: 16 Paul Ngauamo, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Joel Everson, 19 Brendon O'Connor, 20 Mark Swanepoel, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Rhys Llewellyn, 23 Paea Fa'anunu.

Northland: 1. Justin Davies, 2. Ross Wright, 3. Scott Vessey, 4. Bryce Williams, 5. Mark Burman, 6. Cameron Eyre, 7. Danny Mason, 8. Cameron Goodhue, 9. Rhyan Caine, 10. Ash Moeke, 11. Simon Munro, 12. Aaron Bancroft, 13. Jared Payne (capt), 14. Lachie Munro, 15. Jack McPhee.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Vaipulu, 17 Aterea Davis, 18 Matt Harrison, 19 Dan Faleafa, 20 Wayne Ngaluafe, 21 Derek Carpenter, 22 Bryce Heem, 23 Jamie Corsi.

Referee: Glen Jackson