Tasman outgun North Harbour

Tasman survived a late onslaught to secure a 21-14 victory over North Harbour at Lansdowne Park in Blenheim on Wednesday.

Tasman blew their opponents away in a clinical opening quarter in which they raced to a 21-0 lead. However, they scored no further points and had to hold on for the victory in the end.

In securing a losing bonus point, North Harbour confirmed their place in the Premiership semi-finals while Tasman did their playoff hopes no harm with the four points.

The hosts opened the scoring in unusual circumstances via a fifth-minute penalty try after their fourth lineout driving maul in a row was illegally disrupted by North Harbour.

Ten minutes later, Will Jordan doubled the home side’s lead as he finished off a flowing Tasman move that spanned the length of the field with the ball exchanging numerous hands.

Their third try in lightning quick succession came from Shannon Frizell, who forced his way over after another coast to coast backline move had got Tasman close to the opposition try line.

However, a yellow card to Travel Joass shortly afterwards halted Tasman’s attacking impetus but they still took a 21-0 lead in to the interval.

North Harbour made the best possible start to the second half with Matt Duffie crossing the whitewash after he was well assisted by Tevita Li.

The away side had to wait thirty long minutes until their next try when Matt Vaega dotted down to set up a tense finale.

But a North Harbour comeback was not to be as Tasman held on for a 21-14 win.

The scorers:

For Tasman:
Tries: Jordan, Frizell, Penalty Try
Cons: Guyton 2
Yellow Card: Joass

For North Harbour:
Tries: Duffie, Vaega
Cons: Volavola, Gatland

Tasman: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Viliami Lolohea, 13 Tima Faingaanuku, 12 Trael Joass, 11 Alex Nankivell, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Pari Pari Parkinson, 4 Shannon Frizell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Tim Perry
Replacements: 16 Ti’i Paulo, 17 Siosiua Halanukonuka, 18 Issac Salmon, 19 Finlay Christie, 20 Tim O’Malley, 21 Tom Hill, 22 Robbie Malneek

North Harbour: 15 Matt Duffie (c), 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Matt Vaega, 12 Shaun Treeby, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Josh Tyrell, 7 Murphy Taramai, 6 Brandon Nansen, 5 Jarrad Hoeata, 4 Shane Neville, 3 Mike Tamoaieta, 2 Steven Misa, 1 Chris Eves
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Glenn Preston, 20 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 21 Lewis Gjaltema, 22 Dan Hilton-Jones, 23 Bryn Gatland

Referee: Jamie Nutbrown