9.40pm
NORTH HARBOUR 26 TARANAKI 22
NPC form lines continued as North Harbour finished strongly to beat Taranaki in their first division provincial rugby match in Albany.
North Harbour maintained their semifinal challenge, scoring three tries to two to win their fourth consecutive match after losing their opening three this season. The result
takes them level with Wellington and Waikato at the top of the table although those teams are still to play this weekend.
Taranaki again displayed a lack of finish to fall to their fifth straight loss and drop from the title race.
After holding a mortgage on possession in the first half, Taranaki only led 14-12 at the break, the work of their bruising forwards not complemented by accuracy in the backs.
North Harbour's backline had more punch and they made better use of limited opportunities.
Taranaki first five-eighth Mark Urwin opened the scoring with a penalty and Taranaki went close to extending the lead but Shayne Austin couldn't ground the ball and fellow-winger James Kerr was held up.
North Harbour's first try came completely against the run of play, a 90m intercept effort from centre Anthony Tuitavake.
Taranaki hooker Andrew Hore burrowed over and two more Urwin penalties pushed the visitors back in front before a try to flanker Craig Newby from a blistering Hosea Gear break narrowed the scores at halftime.
Taranaki made an ideal start to the second spell when Austin was driven across by fullback Bryce Robins for his seventh try of the season and Urwin pushed them 22-12 in front with a 48th-minute penalty. However, that was to be their last points.
North Harbour fullback Tusi Pisi slid over for a try and three penalties to first five-eighth Evans pushed the home side clear.
Taranaki launched a final attack but a rolling maul was pushed into touch 2m from the corner flag.
The result provided a dose of good news for the North Harbour Rugby Union, fined $7500 earlier today for an international eligibility rule breach involving their South African halfback Chad Alcock.
North Harbour 26 (Anthony Tuitavake, Craig Newby, Tusi Pisi tries; Nick Evans 3 pen, con)
Taranaki 22 (Andrew Hore, Shayne Austin tries; Mark Urwin 4 pen)
Halftime: Taranaki 14-12
- NZPA
NPC points table
