KEY POINTS:
Taranaki survived a second half onslaught to beat Northland 22-20 in an Air NZ Cup rugby match in Whangarei today.
Taranaki ran in four tries in the first half but were held scoreless in the second stanza as a fired-up Northland kept their half of the scoreboard ticking
over in an entertaining match.
Bullocking No 8 Tomasi Soqeta set the tone for Taranaki who notched just their second win in six games.
Like a bowling ball, the 1.90m, 120kg forward skittled three would-be tacklers like ten-pins and crashed over over for the opening score in just the eighth minute.
Fullback Scott Ireland made the conversion.
Northland worked their way back into the game with skipper Justin Collins urging his forwards on and first five-eighth David Holwell distributing and kicking well.
But they were let down by basic errors despite looking polished from their 22-metre line to their opponents' 22m.
Northland fell further back when Taranaki's Shane Austin intercepted a pass as they constructed a promising attack and the winger was unmolested as he raced 45m to dot down.
Taranaki's forwards worked hard all day with flankers Scott Waldrom and Jarrad Hoeata outstanding.
Northland were forced to go wide to get around the solid Taranaki pack but left themselves open to counter attacks.
After promising second five-eighth Daniel Bowden had kicked a penalty to narrow the gap, Northland found themselves another try down when Ireland made a run from the back to off-load to winger Paul Perez.
Perez drew the defence and his off-load saw halfback Brett Goodin score in the left corner.
Northland wing Fetu'u Vainikolo dotted down for his side's first try in the 34th minute but Taranaki finished the first half with a bonus point after Austin scored his second try again from a swift Taranaki riposte.
Northland came out with their sleeves rolled up in the second half to take the game to Taranaki.
Left wing Fetu'u Vainikolo scored his second try from the kickoff when he ran down the tramlines after breaking two tackles from 50m out.
Substitute centre Josh Levi raised Northland hopes when he scored a brilliant solo try with a chip and regather in the scoring zone to dot down.
Taranaki had few opportunities to attack in the second half but their defence held up under Northland examination.
The loss was Northland's third after six matches but they gain a bonus point for finishing within seven points.
Taranaki 22 (Tomasi Soqeta, Brett Goodin, Shane Austin 2 tries; Scott Ireland con) Northland 20 (Fetu'u Vainikolo 2, Josh Levi tries; Daniel Bowden pen, con).
- NZPA