Northland over-run Counties-Manukau

Northland overcome a shoddy start to beat Counties-Manukau 54-25 in an NPC warm-up rugby match in Whangarei today.

Second division Counties-Manukau stormed out to an 18-0 lead after just 14 minutes before Northland paused for breath.

Northland gradually ground their way into the match, trailing 14-20 at the interval before running away with the game after the break to score eight tries to three.

Northland 54 (Tim Dow, Manu Burkhardt-Macrae, Jake Paringatai, Simon Lemalu, Brad Christensen, Mesake Davu, Allen Tubbs, Isoa Niebua tries; David Holwell 6 con, Daniel Bowden con) Counties-Manukau 25 (Lelia Masaga 2, Koiatu Koiatu tries; Troy Nathan 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 14-20.

- NZPA