Rugby: Record for wrong reasons

This season has been one co-captain Dan Pryor will be keen to forget.

The Taniwha have confirmed a place in ITM Cup folklore, with their final-round 36-12 loss to North Harbour putting them on par with Southland's dismal 1990 campaign as the worst season in the history of the provincial competition.

While early hints of El Nino weather patterns have been hinting at a dry summer for Northland for some time, the drought began long ago for the dried-out Taniwha.

Losing all 10 matches this year, by margins of 29, 9, 29, 43, 25, 25, 32, 43, 18 and 24 points respectively, Northland's match at QBE Stadium yesterday was simply a reflection of the nine games preceding it.

Cellar dwellers win or lose, Northland had little to play for in their last outing of 2015.

So it was no surprise a lacklustre showing against an upbeat North Harbour had the visitors on the back foot during the last 80 minutes of their season.

Three first-half tries, which included a superb intercept try from hooker James Parsons, kept the home team on top via a solid display of firepower.

Although Northland haven't scored many tries this season, plenty of the ones they have scored have been worthy of more than five points, with Mathew Wright's stunning canter toward the chalk just before halftime being nothing short of brilliance.

With Northland becoming accustomed to trailing at halftime, it wasn't much of a surprise to see North Harbour leading the Taniwha 17-7 going into the break.

Despite that North Harbour were still in reach in the opening phases of the second stanza.

From there, though, the game fell to pieces as Northland's scrambling defence let North Harbour cut through the gain line and etch several more points on to their scorecard in the final quarter.

Fumbling possession on several occasions, the Taniwha threw away chances at dotting down and giving North Harbour a run for their money.

Proving their attack can fire when needed, Northland teased with snippets of the exciting game they are renowned for.

However, Northland's woeful defensive effort and wasted opportunities on attack helped North Harbour finish their season with a bang, while also helping the Taniwha make their way to the top of the worst-ever ratings - a milestone Northland's players, management staff and loyal fans won't be looking to celebrate in any way, shape or form.