4.45pm
Australians James Hilgendorf and Brock James scored 25 points between them as Taranaki beat Canterbury 30-23 in an official fixture for the first time in 26 years in today's NPC rugby match at New Plymouth.
Fullback Hilgendorf scored two tries and playmaker James kicked three penalties and three conversions.
First five-eighth James
outshone far more experienced opponents such as Andrew Mehrtens and Aaron Mauger with his control and tactical kicking.
He is being sought by the Hurricanes for next season's Super 12 competition.
Taranaki, the only team in the first division to have won all five of their games, appeared to have wrapped up today's match when James landed his second penalty goal to give his team a 27-9 lead in the 51st minute.
However Canterbury, the current Ranfurly Shield holders, came back with two tries through midfield back Mauger and loose forward Johnny Leo'o, with Daniel Carter, who had landed three penalty goals earlier, converting both.
For the next 15 minutes, Canterbury sought to erase the four-point deficit and perhaps put their own winner on the board but Taranaki didn't lie down.
With two minutes remaining, James gave his team a little more breathing space by kicking his third penalty goal to make it 30-23 and the home side held on desperately until the final whistle.
Though Canterbury took the lead in the 18th minute of the match with a penalty by Carter, Taranaki, showing great commitment and teamwork, scored two converted tries by Hilgendorf and a penalty goal by James to lead 17-6 at halftime. Carter had added a second penalty goal in the 38th minute.
Today's win stretched Taranaki's points tally in the competition to 23, four ahead of Wellington. Waikato and North Harbour are next best with 16 points each.
Taranaki beat Canterbury 30-23 in their NPC rugby match at New Plymouth today.
Taranaki 30 (James Hilgendorf 2, Chris Masoe tries; Brock James 3 pen, 3 con)
Canterbury 23 (Aaron Mauger, Johnny Leo'o tries; Daniel Carter 3 pen, 2 con). Halftime: 17-6
- NZPA
NPC fixtures, results and standings
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