Canterbury run riot against Counties

Canterbury’s fine Mitre 10 Cup form shows no sign of abating after they claimed a convincing 78-5 over Counties Manukau in Christchurch on Wednesday.

As the scoreline suggests, the champions were full value for their win and outscored their visitors 11 tries to one with Mitch Drummond crossing the whitewash four times and Tim Bateman finished with a hat-trick.

Canterbury were in a dominant mood and after Richie Mo’unga gave them the lead courtesy of a penalty – shortly after the kick-off – Drummond sored his first try in the third minute.

The scrum-half’s three other tries all followed during the opening period, and a try each from Braydon Ennor and Bateman as well as excellent goalkicking from Mo’unga meant Canterbury held a 43-0 lead at half-time.

This encounter’s one-sided nature continued in the second half although Counties opened the scoring after the restart when Nigel Ah Wong scored their only points courtesy of a well-taken try in the 48th minute.

Canterbury continued to dominate and Bateman, Rob Thompson and Poasa Waqanibau all crossed the whitewash to give their side a 64-5 lead by the hour-mark.

Bateman dotted down for a third time in the 65th minute and 10 minutes later Josh McKay crossed for the last try which sealed an easy win for the home side.

The scorers:

For Canterbury:
Tries: Drummond 4, Ennor, Bateman 3, Thompson, Waqanibau, McKay
Cons: Mo’unga 10
Pen: Mo’unga

For Counties Manukau:
Try: Ah Wong

Canterbury: 15 George Bridge, 14 Poasa Waqanibau, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock (c), 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Oli Jager, 2 Nathan Vella, 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Nick Werahiko, 17 Chris Gawler, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Hamish Dalzell, 20 Reed Prinsep, 21 Ere Enari, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Josh McKay

Counties Manukau: 15 Luteru Laulala, 14 Nigel Ah Wong, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Albert Nikoro, 10 Baden Kerr, 9 Augustine Pulu (cc), 8 Sam Henwood, 7 Jonathan Kawau, 6 Ronald Raaymakers, 5 Jimmy Tupou (cc), 4 Viliame Rarasea, 3 Kalolo Tuiloma, 2 Gafatasi Su’a, 1 Pauliasi Manu
Replacements: 16 Joe Royal, 17 Sean Bagshaw, 18 Coree Te Whata-Colley, 19 Leroy Jack, 20 Fotu Lokotui, 21 Jonathan Taumateine, 22 Orbyn Leger, 23 Sam Furniss

Referee: Brendon Pickerill