Rugby: Manawatu take toll on short-handed Tasman for NPC victory

Jackson Hemopo of Manawatu is tackled by Trael Joass of Tasman during their Mitre 10 Cup match. Photo/Getty Images

Manawatu have toppled premiership side Tasman 35-20 in a national provincial rugby championship cross-over match in Palmerston North.

The four-try win was set up by sterling work at the set-piece, with an efficient lineout and powerful scrum too often proving problematic for Tasman.

The visitors weren't helped by a lack of discipline either, playing 20 minutes of the match at Central Energy Trust Arena with 14 men.

With the canny first five-eighth Otere Black directing play, Manawatu were quick to establish good field position.

Patience and solid work at the breakdown set up Nick Crosswell for the first try of the match, the big lock crashing over in the 20th minute to give the home team the lead, after an early Mitch Hunt penalty put Tasman in front.

A chip-and-chase try from former sevens star Kurt Baker, back in Manawatu after a stint in Italy, extended the home team's lead, with a 40th minute Black penalty capping off a solid first half.

Tasman, beaten 39-0 by Canterbury last week, scored their first try of the season five minutes after the restart. Skipper Alex Ainley ran onto Jordan Taufua's well-timed off-load, Hunt made the conversion and Tasman were back in the game at 15-10 down.

Hooker Hunter Prescott restored the Turbos' margin, when he barrelled over in the midst of a well-executed lineout drive, only for Tasman to narrow the gap with another Hunt penalty.

They closed to within two, when Michael Green finished off Will Jordan's smooth break with 15 minutes remaining, but had to play most of the final quarter with 14 men, first losing wing Tima Faingaanuku, then Taufua to the sin bin.

Black gratefully nailed two more penalties, then Hamish Northcott wrapped up the win with his 80th minute try.