Taranaki thrash Southland

27 points: Frazier Climo

Taranaki returned to their winning ways with a comprehensive 47-18 victory over Southland in their ITM Cup clash in Invercargill on Sunday.

Craig Clarke's men put the disappointment of their Ranfurly Shield defeat to Waikato behind them and ran in five tries against their hosts who dotted down twice.

The visitors' hero was their left wing Frazier Climo who contributed 27 points via a try five conversions and four penalties.

Southland started the match brightly with tries from Matt Saunders and Tayler Adams and led 15-6 at half-time.

But Taranaki dominated proceedings after the break and outscored the Stags 41-3 during this period.

For Southland:
Tries: Saunders, Adams
Con: Eade
Pens: Eade 2

For Taranaki:
Tries: Marshall 2, Climo, Hayward, Jackson Ormond
Cons: Climo 5
Pens : Climo 4

Southland: 15 Marty McKenzie. 14 Mark Wells, 13 Cardiff Vaega, 12 Matt Saunders, 11 Tim Cornforth, 10 Scott Eade, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Alex Taylor, 5 Alex Ryan, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Nick Barrett, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Micheal Peterson, 18 Michael Fatialofa, 19 Dion Bates, 20 Tayler Adams, 21 Matt Gandy, 22 Keanu Kahukura.

Taranaki: 15 James Marshall. 14 Jackson Ormond, 13 Kurt Baker, 12 Isaia Tuifua, 11 Frazier Climo, 10 Jack Cameron, 9 Brett Goodin, 8 Jarrad Hoeata, 7 Bernie Hall, 6 Kane Barrett, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Michael Bent, 2 Timo Tutavaha, 1 Chris King.
Replacements: 16 Laurence Corlett, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Blade Thomson, 20 Jamison Gibson-Park, 21 Jayden Hayward, 22 Seta Tamanivalu.