Taniwha worst enemy in loss to Taranaki in ITM Cup clash

Northland were their own worst enemy in their round four ITM Cup clash with Taranaki at Whangarei's Toll Stadium, letting a halftime lead slip from their grasp to go down 16-23.
After promising so much in the first half of last night's clash in front of a 2500 strong crowd, the wheels started to wobble and eventually fell off for Northland when Taranaki capitalised on basic errors made by the Taniwha.
Heading into their first of four crossover matches in the national provincial championship, Northland planned to rectify Saturday's 30-22 loss to Manawatu - a game they also lost because of handling errors and basic mistakes.
A fired up Northland side started strongly with right wing Lachie Munro putting the hosts on the board with a penalty kick after the first minute.
Northland's backline created early chances, making several explosive breaks and the Taniwha had the run of play, before Taranaki were penalised for holding on to the ball, and Munro nudged the kick over to extend the lead to 6-0 halfway into the first 40. Northland's set piece also worked well, with their scrum matching the physical Taranaki forward pack.
With 10 minutes to go in the first half, flyhalf Jack McPhee popped an inside pass to Rene Ranger, who then spun the ball wide to inside centre Aaron Bancroft who dotted down in the left corner. Munro's conversion gave the hosts a 13-0 lead but Taranaki quickly narrowed the gap, with halfback Tyson Keats, flanker Scott Waldrom, lock and skipper Craig Clarke and wing Andre Taylor beginning to impose themselves on the game.
They were rewarded with two quick tries, Jayden Hayward punishing a loose Ranger pass with a runaway intercept try in the 32nd minute.
Another breakaway started by Taylor saw Clarke carry the ball on and his flip up to Laurence Corlett saw the hooker score an unconverted try which put the scoreline at 13-10 at halftime.
Taranaki, having beaten Waikato 30-23 in their previous outing after trailing by 14 points, had to dig themselves out of trouble again. After missing the first two conversions, flyhalf Beauden Barrett found his range in the second 40 and levelled the score with an early penalty.
No 8 for Northland Cam Eyre was dynamic in all areas of the game once again, and started a break up the centre which would have resulted in a try by Munro, but McPhee's pass to Munro was called forward. Minutes later, Taranaki were penalised for being offside, and Munro kicked a penalty to put Northland in front again briefly.
With 16 minutes to go, Northland conceded a 5m scrum leaving substitute hooker Mahonri Schwalger to tidy things up by dotting down after messy play by both sides. Barrett knocked over the conversion and then kicked a booming penalty from 55m out to seal the win over a tiring Northland, who tried hard in the closing minutes, but could not break through a relentless Taranaki defence.
* ITM Cup - Round Four
Northland 16 Try: Aaron Bancroft; Con: Lachie Munro; Pen: Munro 3
Taranaki 23 Tries: Jayden Hayward, Laurence Corlett, Mahonri Schwalger; Con: Barrett; Pen: Barrett 2
HT: 13-10.