Bonus point win for Norths on Thursday night

Northern United prop Mike Ioapo makes a busting run. PHOTO BY Stewart Baird.

Northern United have kicked off the Easter round Swindale Shield rugby by defeating Wellington 33-8 at Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua tonight.

In a scrappy and sometimes fiery affair, the hosts eventually wore down a determined Axmen outfit.

Honours were even at halftime, but Norths pulled away in the final quarter to claim the second-half 25-0.

Early busts, on opposite wings, by Du’Plessis Kirifi and Denny To’o hinted danger for the visitors. However, the only profit Norths gained was a penalty kicked by Jackson Garden-Bachop.

Wellington scored the first try when first-five Jonnie TeRuki-Chambers finished an Olly Sapsford break from halfway. The Axemen fielded a Garden Bachop clearing kick near halfway the centre broke after slick handling among the backs created space.

Prop Mike Ioapo was yellow carded for Norths, but Perry Hayman tied the scores up when he dotted down after the Wellington defence was extended from touchline to touchline in sweeping, aggressive attack. Centre To’o had made a piercing break up the middle, beating the tackles of two defenders. 

The early stages of the second spell were anchored in the middle of the ground. Norths controlled most of the ball, but rarely threated well organised Axemen defence.

Gradually the weight of possession in Norths favour began to take its toll and when lock Fala Tuala crashed over for a try shortly after a lineout steal to make it 16-8, Norths was in command. Tuala had earlier squandered two chances with poor handling, but was a busy and bustling presence for Norths.

Norths finished with a flourish. Leon Ellison, Jordan Mellars-Rose and reserve outside back Mike Teofilo all scored tries in the last ten minutes. Some beautiful passing by Garden-Bachop and brutish running by To’o played a vital hand in each of these tries.

Kirifi was exceptional for Norths proving very tough to restrain with ball in hand. Despite his card Ioapo was punishing and Captain Parekura Lalaga led from the front.

For Wellington flankers Xavier Smith and Alex Dalzell tackled themselves to a standstill and Sapsford showcased some quality touches.

In the early game, the Northern United Premier Reserves made it three from three to start their Harper Lock Shield campaign with a resounding 62-12 win over the Wellington second XV.

A close first half saw Norths go to the halftime break leading 10-5. But as the skies darkened, Norths came out to play. They broke through early in the second spell with two long-range tries, quickly extending their lead to 24-10. A short period of calm ensued before Norths cut capers over the final 20 minutes. Wellington scored a consolation try on fulltime.

The rest of the third round of the Swindale Shield and Harper Lock Shield competitions is on Saturday.