NEW PLYMOUTH - Taranaki opened and finished on a spectacular note to destroy a Northland side reduced to 14 men in their NPC first division rugby match here yesterday.
Taranaki opened with a converted try, winning ruck after ruck, and finished in style with a 70-metre sideline dash to beat Northland57-21.
The shell-shocked Northlanders hit back after Taranaki's early five-pointer with a try by captain and lock Glenn Taylor after a lineout drive near the line.
But they were rocked soon afterwards when winger Dan Parkinson felled Taranaki first five-eighths Jamie Cameron with a high tackle. With Parkinson's sending off, Northland's winning chances evaporated.
By halftime, Taranaki led 22-14, and only some poor finishing late in the half meant the side went to the break without a bonus point for scoring four tries.
But it didn't take Taranaki too long to secure the bonus point, with outstanding No 8 Campbell Feather driving over in the opening minutes of the second spell.
Taranaki dominated from that point on, only occasionally loosening their grip.
The final try was a fitting finale. A Northland kick-ahead from deep inside their half took play to the Taranaki 22m line, but Taranaki second five-eighths Mepi Faoagali proved too fast.
Faoagali raced down the sideline and linked with captain Andy Slater. He passed the ball back to Faoagali, who then passed to replacement halfback Brendan Haami who finished off with a spectacular dive.
It was just the sort of showing Taranaki needed a week before challenging Waikato in Hamilton for the Ranfurly Shield.
Feather and fellow Wellington Hurricanes loose forward Darryl Fale were in superb form in front of new Hurricanes coach Graham Mourie.
For Northland, it wasn't a day to remember. Key midfield back Norman Berryman was anonymous, while the Northland forwards struggled to win enough ball. - NZPA
