Canterbury keep hold of Shield

Canterbury kept hold of the Ranfurly Shield after securing a 37-17 victory over Waikato at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.

The four tries to three win saw Canterbury lead by 25 points but a spirited Waikato hit back in the second 40 with two tries from Sevu Reece.

Canterbury started strongly and crossed through wing Braydon Ennor, centre Rob Thompson and lock Mitchell Dunshea before the interval.

Richie Mo’unga was kicking well and when flanker Tom Sanders scored in the 46th minute to cancel out Pita Ahki’s 39th minute try for Waikato, the home side were cruising to the five points that would take them back to the summit.

Reece though would have the final say on the game as his two scores – in the 57th and 80th minute – gave the scoreline some respectability.

The scorers:

For Canterbury:
Tries: Ennor, Thompson, Dunshea, Sanders
Cons: Mo’unga 4
Pens: Mo’unga 3

For Waikato:
Tries: Ahki, Reece 2
Con: Reece

Canterbury: 15 George Bridge, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Jed Brown, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Chris Gawler, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Hamish Dalzell, 20 Billy Harmon, 21 Jack Stratton, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Marshall Suckling

Waikato: 15 Tyler Campbell 14 Bailyn Sullivan, 13 Pita Ahki, 12 Dwayne Sweeney (c), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Harrison Levien, 8 Jordan Manihera, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 James Tucker, 4 Jacob Skeen, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Hame Faiva, 1 Ayden Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Loni Uhila, 18 Sefo Kautai, 19 Leva Fifita, 20 Adam Burn, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Matty Lansdown, 23 Tevita Taufu

Referee: Glen Jackson