Mitre 10 Cup: Northland face key games after Counties defeat

Sam Nock fires a ball wide as Northland go down 25-16 to Counties-Manukau in their Mitre 10 Cup crossover clash. Photo / Getty Images

Northland will need a pair of big performances to end the Mitre 10 Cup regular season after a 25-16 defeat to Counties-Manukau.

No bonus points once again makes things interesting as they go up against Hawke's Bay and Championship leaders Wellington to finish the season.

Sitting in fourth position with Manawatu having an extra game in hand means at least one win will be needed to consolidate a finals berth.

Matt Matich looks to make a hit up. Photo / Getty Images

In treacherous conditions, Northland enjoyed the lead in both possession and territory in the first spell as Counties decided not to put men in the ruck, relying instead on Northland to make errors.

After a strong few weeks at the lineout, Northland's issues resurfaced as they could not make the connection.

Execution again marred their efforts. Try as they might during the first half, they couldn't capitalise on their chances but not through a lack of trying.

There were plenty of positives to take as once again they showed power at scrum time as well as a disruptive quality at the breakdown.

Blindside flanker Jack Ram was a standout at ruck time, while prop Ross Wright and centre Rene Ranger each had strong moments.

However it was Counties, led by a strong performances from hooker Joe Royal and openside flanker Fotu Lokotui, that picked up an equally vital win on their side of the ledger.

Counties got on the board first as a 70m team effort, which involved a questionable pass, led to Albert Nikoro scoring on his right wing.

Northland hit back immediately through the boot of Peter Breen, maintaining his perfect record of goal kicking in 2017 with a penalty.

What followed was a 30-minute battle of attrition as neither side could force their way over the line despite having plenty of chances.

Northland in particular looked likely but Counties held firm and were rewarded with a try to diminutive fullback Tim Nanai-Williams seven minutes out from halftime.

Another Breen penalty kept Northland in with a chance at 12-6 heading into the second spell.

Reserve midfielder Blake Hohaia helped put Northland in the lead 10 minutes into the second spell after a bullocking run off a scrum put him under the uprights, which Breen duly converted.

The lead barely lasted a minute as they conceded a penalty from the kickoff, from which Baden Kerr hit a penalty.

Ill-discipline from Counties caused a penalty reversal, which Breen took full toll of to continue the see-sawing lead.

But again that lead didn't last as former All Black Stephen Donald was the benefactor of a Lokotui turnover, giving Counties the 22-16 lead.

Luteru Laulala added a penalty with five minutes to go, giving Northland a nine-point buffer to try and overcome.

Northland tried to salvage a bonus point out of the contest but they couldn't find their way through the staunch Counties defensive line, consigning them to the nine-point defeat.

Counties-Manukau 25 (Albert Nikoro, Tim Nanai-Williams, Stephen Donald tries, Baden Kerr con, pen, Luteru Laulala con, pen)
Northland 16 (Blake Hohaia try, Peter Breen con, 3 pen)
HT: 12-6