Turanga stay hot on winning streak

Storming run: Tūranga Tāne wing KC Wilson charging through the defence of Tūranga Pasifika during their win at the Oval. Tūranga continue their unbeaten run as they claimed victory over Thames Valley at Rugby Park on Saturday, 22-14. Picture by Paul Rickard

TŪRANGA Tāne continued their unbeaten run with a 22-14 win against Thames Valley Development at Rugby Park on Saturday.

Thames Valley were well drilled and well conditioned, but Tūranga kept their discipline to take the victory.

For 10 minutes, Valley had only 14 men on the field after Dane Matthews was shown the yellow card.

The first half was a huge battle. The only points came from a penalty goal kicked by Tūranga first five-eighth Carlos Hihi.

Wing Isaiah Lemaua had safe hands under the high ball and used his speed to get the ball out of the danger area.

He provided one of the highlights of the second half when he intercepted a pass just outside his own 22 and sprinted untouched to the tryline.

Thames Valley pressure forced a crack in the Tūranga defence just big enough for hooker Shontayne Dare to sneak through and score their first try in the match. Matthews added the conversion.

Valley were not finished. They found space and created an opportunity for replacement forward Hunter Jack to score.First-five Taine Wilson converted, and Thames Valley led 14-8.

Tūranga surged back on attack, with replacement Sam Hudson charging over the line with a pick-and-go. Hihi kicked the conversion for a 15-14 lead.

From here Tūranga didn't look back. They took control of the match and kept the pressure on.

With both teams scrambling for possession, a penalty was awarded to Tūranga with five minutes to go. They went for position and kicked for touch. A Thames player jumped up and kept the ball in play — a decision that proved fatal to his side's chances of winning the game.

Tūranga wing KC Wilson picked up the loose ball on the Thames 22 and drove towards the line. Thames tried to get control of the ball but their efforts proved too little too late.

On the five-metre line, Tūranga sent a pass from the base of the ruck into the hands of Austin Brown, who powered over the line to seal the result. Fullback Bryan Howard kicked the conversion to end the game.