Taranaki hold on to beat Waikato

Taranaki made a fine start to their Mitre 10 Cup campaign when they claimed a 34-29 bonus-point win over Waikato in New Plymouth on Saturday.

The home side had to dig deep for their win though and although they outscored Waikato six tries to four, they nearly lost this match after the visitors launched a late fightback.

Tries from Leighton Price, Charlie Ngatai and Stephen Perofeta gave Taranaki a 19-10 lead at half-time with Mitchell Jacobson crossing for Waikato's only five-pointer during that period.

The home side continued to dominate after the break and a Sean Wainui try extended their lead before Jordan Manihera reduced the deficit when he crossed the whitewash.

Taranaki turned on the style and tries from Beaudein Waaka and Seta Tamanivalu gave them a 34-15 lead by the 63rd minute.

Waikato refused to surrender, however, and two further tries from Manihera set up a tense finish although Taranaki held on for the win thanks to a solid defensive effort in the game's closing stages.

The scorers:

For Taranaki:
Tries: Price, Ngatai, Perofeta, Wainui, Tamanivalu, Waaka
Cons: McKenzie 2

For Waikato:
Tries: Jacobson, Manihera 3
Cons: Sweeney3
Pen: Sweeney 

Taranaki: 15 Marty McKenzie, 14 Declan O'Donnell, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Charlie Ngatai (c), 11 Seta Tamanivalu, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Pita-Gus Powakula, 5 Leon Power, 4 Leighton Price, 3 Angus Ta'avao, 2 Sione Lea, 1 Mitchell Graham
Replacements: 16 Donald Maka, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Mike Kainga, 19 Brad Tucker, 20 Adrian Wyrill, 21 Logan Crowley, 22 Beaudein Waaka, 23 Latu Vaeno

Waikato: 15 Zac Guildford, 14 Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, 13 Bailyn Sullivan, 12 Dwayne Sweeney (c), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Pele Cowley, 8 James Tucker, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 6 Jordan Manihera, 5 Leva Fifita, 4 Jacob Skeen, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Hame Faiva, 1 Latu Talakai
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Joshua Iosefa-Scott, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Adam Burn, 21 Harrison Levien, 22 Tevita Taufui, 23 Tyler Campbell

Referee: Nick Briant