North Harbour 28
Counties-Man 19
Waikato 15
Taranaki 14
Those lamenting the poor skill factor in rugby were given more ammunition as Waikato clawed their way to a rugged and vital victory over Taranaki in New Plymouth last night.
A 78th minute drop goal to young first five-eighths Trent Renata got Waikato home - the No 10 had Taranaki defenders almost on top of him as he landed the short winner to enable the tryless Mooloo men to triumph in the Air New Zealand Cup clash.
Taranaki's Willie Ripia had struck a superb 35 metre drop goal just three minutes earlier to get his side in front as a gripping finale unfolded to what had been a fairly dour match.
The contest ended in a tense fashion as Taranaki held the ball for a series of forward drives but were stalled around the halfway line by Waikato.
The two sides went into the ninth round a few points adrift of the top four and with just four rounds left, Taranaki are now unlikely semifinal prospects while the Mooloo men are still in with a reasonable shout.
Taranaki had a few late chances but their lineout couldn't deliver and Waikato clung on.
Flamboyance of the try producing kind was in short supply throughout the match - this was a rural rumble between traditional rivals with very little icing on the cake.
Taranaki led 11-6 after a lame first half with only the muscle of the home side's forwards making a bold statement.
The match opened with a barrage of kicks from both sides that set the tone for a drab half of football which produced the game's only try - to a prop.
That try arrived in the 20th minute - Jayden Hayward made the break which led to the Taranaki captain Tony Penn charging down the short side past weak Waikato tackling before stretching out to score.
Apart from that, an earlier stoush between the stocky Penn and towering Waikato lock Kevin O'Neill was the most memorable moment of the half along with a mighty shove from the Taranaki scrum which nailed a tighthead.
But the few attempts at anything approaching the spectacular went astray as dropped ball and offside offences strangled the match.
It was left to the goal kickers to provide the remaining points in the half, with Callum Bruce winning a points decision over Willie Ripia in that department.
Waikato 15 (Callum Bruce 4 pen, Trent Renata dropped goal)
Taranaki 14 (Tony Penn try; Willie Ripia 2 pen, dropped goal). Halftime: 6-11.
* * *
A spear tackle which resulted in a red card marred the match between North Harbour and Counties-Manukau.
Harbour second five-eighths Andrew Mailei was given his marching orders after just 22 minutes for an ugly hit on his opposite Dean Cummins. Mailei lifted Cummins in the air and he landed head first into the turf giving referee Keith Brown no option but to give the Harbour player a red card.
Cummins recovered and took his place in the Counties side.
But having to play nearly 60 minutes with 14 men seemed to steel the resolve of Harbour as they ground down a determined Counties-Manukau.
Counties-Manukau will remain 14th and firm as favourites for the wooden spoon while North Harbour should improve from 13th by the end of the weekend.
A dour first half saw Harbour lead 6-5 at halftime but both sides came out determined to play some football in the second spell. Harbour jumped out to a 16-5 lead 20 minutes in the second half and looked to have the better of the contest, despite the disadvantage of being one man down.
But Counties-Manukau refused to give up and a try by Samisoni Fisilau and the conversion by Cummins kept them in it. Harbour scored two late tries to wrap up a game they will feel they were probably fortunate to escape with a win.
North Harbour 28 (Rudi Wulf, Scott Uren, Tom Chamberlain tries; Mike Harris 3 pen, 2 con)
Counties-Manukau 19 (Siale Piutau, Samisoni Fisilau, Ahsee Tuala tries; Dean Cummins 2 con). Halftime: 6-5.
