Harbour on the up in Albany

North Harbour made it two wins in a row with a 28-19 Air New Zealand Cup win over Counties Manukau at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Friday.

North Harbour made it two wins in a row with a 28-19 Air New Zealand Cup win over Counties Manukau at North Harbour Stadium in Albany on Friday.

The Steelers failed to take advantage of playing against fourteen men for the most part of the match after North Harbour centre Andrew Mailei was shown the first red card of the competition just 22 minutes into the match.

He was given his marching orders for a lifting tackle on opposite number Dean Cummins which was deemed dangerous by referee Keith Brown. His team-mates made up for their numerical shortage with a gutsy display in wet conditions that meant the match would never shine as a spectacle.

Both teams scored three tries but North Harbour were deserved winners, dominating the set pieces and territory, allowing impressive fly-half Mike Harris to slot thirteen points with the boot.

Having been within one point of North Harbour at the break at 6-5, Counties Manukau could have been well pleased thanks to a try through centre Siale Piutau, which bisected Harris penalties early and late in the first spell.

But North Harbour came to life in the final 20 minutes, when five of the six tries were scored. The last one went to North Harbour flanker Tom Chamberlain, the game's stand-out player, set up by a burst from winger Anthony Tuitavake.

The Steelers also broke out late through tries to reserve backs Samisoni Fisilau and Ahsee Tuala but they were never within sight over the closing quarter.

Counties-Manukau will remain fourteenth and firm as favourites for the wooden spoon while North Harbour should improve from thirteenth by the end of Round Nine.

The scorers:

For North Harbour:
Tries: Wulf, Uren, Chamberlain
Cons: Harris 2
Pens: Harris 3

Counties Manukau:
Tries: Piutau, Fisilau, Tuala
Cons: Cummins 2

North Harbour: 15 Jack McPhee, 14 Anthony Tuitavake, 13 George Pisi, 12 Andrew Mailei, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Michael Harris, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Tom Chamberlain, 6 Anthony Boric, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Chris Smith, 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Michael Mayhew, 1 Michael Reid.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 James Afoa, 18 William Whetton, 19 Scott Uren, 20 Matt France, 21 Ben Botica, 22 Ken Pisi.

Counties Manukau: 15 Tim Nanai-Williams, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Dean Cummins, 11 Sherwin Stowers, 10 Tasesa Lavea (c), 9 Notise Tauafao, 8 Waka Setitaia, 7 Mark Selwyn, 6 DJ Forbes, 5 Rees Logan, 4 Jamie Chipman, 3 Tuaefe Palelei, 2 Ilaisa Maasi, 1 Graham Dewes,
Replacemnets: 16 Matt Holloway, 17 Po'aloi Taula, 18 Fritz Lee, 19 Ryota Asano/Alepini Olosoni, 20 David Raikuna, 21 August Pulu/Samisoni Fisilau, 22 Ahsee Tuala.

Referee: Keith Brown