Taniwhas score with fans

TRY-TIME: Northland fullback Matt Wright goes in for the Taniwha's only try against Tasman on Thursday night. Bottom-placed Northland couldn't take advantage against the championship division leaders. Photo / JOHN STONE

Despite a massive 28-point haul from Tasman's first five, some Taniwha supporters are standing up for their team and crediting them for including so many local players.

With coach Derren Witcombe earlier this week calling for fans to support his side - of which he has gone for a distinct local flavour - fans have taken to the Northern Advocate's Facebook and website in support.

Fans followed the team's progress through Northern Advocate updates on Facebook, before taking to the web page to applaud Witcombe and co for their efforts.

Whangarei website user "Agrozzia" said: "Lessons learned this year? Maybe it's better to promote young home grown talent and give them the opportunity rather than bring imports in who are arguably in the short term not much better and in terms of long term investment not as good.

"When you're last it's good to be able to look forward with hope rather than be having to say you need to start all over again. Not talking about wholesale introduction of 19 year olds born and bred in Northland but judicious introduction in vital positions."

However, the form book ruled on Thursday night as Tasman beat Northland in Whangarei, but the Makos didn't enhance their status as championship division favourites.

Seven Marty Banks penalties and a late runaway try secured the 28-13 ITM Cup victory, but division leaders Tasman trundled around in third gear and got dangerously close to second mainly.

Bottom-placed Northland couldn't take advantage, although they would have the edge on a small highlights reel.

The match began as it meant to go on. The first half had very little to recommend it, apart from a booming 55m penalty to Banks, until the half-hour mark.

All that flowed were penalties in Northland's direction, and mistakes. These included misdirected Northland kickoffs, and a comical quick penalty error from Tasman halfback Billy Guyton in front of his posts.

Northland finally broke the shackles with an impromptu try, freeing the ball in tackles with Rene Ranger providing the last pass to flying fullback Matt Wright. Against what had happened so far, it was a fair old masterpiece, even if it required a fortunate bounce of the ball from a Tasman shoulder.

This inspired new energy from the Makos but only penalty goals to Banks ensued.

The visitors were building a scrum advantage though, and with a 12-9 lead they were nicely set for the second half.

It started with much more promise, highlighted by a superb one-handed offload from Tasman lock Tevita Cavubati to Robbie Malneek although video referee Peter Nock found that Northland had successfully kept the fullback at bay.

The final reward was Banks' fifth penalty goal - a disappointing reward - but Tasman were starting to hum while Northland were tying up. But all that developed was a little tit-for-tat penalty shootout.

Then came another big moment for video referee Nock and most would say he got the call right. A long-range Tasman score that would have settled the issue was rubbed out for a knock-on by Tasman wing Bryce Heem.

Tasman 28 (Marty Banks try; con, 7 pen) Northland 13 (Matt Wright try, Daniel Hawkins con, 2 pen). Halftime: 12-10.