Taranaki B win to take top of the table spot

Above photo: Taranaki Development's lineout worked well against Auckland B in the northern development game on Saturday. 

The Taranaki Development XV has enjoyed an impressive 38-31 win over Auckland B in the northern development competition top of the table clash at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday.  

The win also takes Taranaki to the top of the competition ladder scoring six tries with NPC representative Trinity Spooner-Neera slotting four conversions. Taranaki has now claimed three wins from three matches in the competition. 

Auckland mustered four tries and as many conversions with a penalty kick slotted in the process.  

In a tit for tat game Taranaki took the lead at the break 19-17 in a very entertaining game.  

That standard continued in the second half with Taranaki taking a strong lead. However, an attempted come back was denied with two tries denied. The first was called back due to Auckland attacking foul play with another opportunity denied as the ball carrier lost the ball over the line.  

Taranaki had the benefit of a number of key players including Spooner-Neera and Isia Tuifua who played for Taranaki in the NPC last weekend.  

Those two players along with loose forwards Trent Pickering and Peter Sowakula played their part with strong runs and off loads throughout the match with Pickering clearly the player of the day.  

There were also two length of the field tries executed by excellent team work and support by Taranaki which was attractive to watch.

Taranaki were down to 14 men in the last 10 minutes of the game as centre Pomare Samupo was shown a yellow card by Counties Manukau referee Daniel O’Connell for a high tackle. Only the one try was leaked due to that deficit.  

Next week Taranaki take on Northland in Te Awamutu as a home fixture.  

In other representative matches, the Taranaki U19 side has qualified for the top eight of the Jock Hobbs Memorial Tournament draw with a strong 26-8 over Counties Manukau at Victoria Park in Stratford.  

Counties Manukau were clearly bigger than Taranaki but it was Taranaki who came to play with plenty of movement and attractive tries. The visitors just managed the one try.  

And the Taranaki U16 side lost to Waikato 27-17 at Yarrow Stadium.