Scorching win for Wellington Maori; Wellington Pride miss out to Manawatu

In possibly the comeback of the year, Wellington Maori have beaten Canterbury Maori 52-51 today in Christchurch.

Wellington Maori were down in the first half and behind by as many points after 30 minutes, before an injury break and a fractured leg to their No. 8 Mykel Herewini forced them to regroup and they scored two tries before halftime to trail 17-44 at halftime.

They continued their fightback throughout the second half, and with Canterbury scoring another converted try they trailed 45-51 with time almost up.

Launching one final raid, wing Jason Love crossed for another try in the corner - his third of the match - and Randall Bishop lined up the conversion from the sideline. His kick sailed between the uprights and Wellington had earned a remarkable win.

Wellington Maori also won the Tirikatene Shield off Canterbury Maori. Their last game of the season is next weekend against? the Wellington Development XV who had today off and went fishing.

The Wellington Pride were outflanked by the Manawatu Cyclones 12-25 in their Women’s NPC second round fixture at the Petone Recreation Ground today.

The swift counterattacking of Manawatu’s backs combined with some moments of good fortune for Manawatu paved the way for their win in bright sunny conditions. The Cyclones outscored the Pride four tries to two after leading 8-5 at halftime.

Wellington’s forwards won the battle up front, dominating the scrums, pressuring Manawatu’s lineout and impressing with their direct play with ball in hand. Locks Jackie Patea and Sanita Levave and No. 8 Miriam Ready all had strong games.

But Wellington also made errors and had concentration lapses, which Manawatu pounced on. Halfback Kristina Sue, second five-eighth Chrystal Mayes, wing Huia Paul and Black Ferns fullback Selica Winiata were all to the fore.

With Wellington ahead 5-3 and hot on attack, Cyclones halfback Sue helped spark the key try of the first half on 25 minutes when her team was awarded a defensive penalty and she caught Wellington napping by taking a quick tap and setting up a sweeping length-of-the-field movement. Wellington’s cover defence held on, but awarded a second penalty, Sue tapped again and Mayes went through to score.

After earlier scoring the first try of the match, to fullback Katarina Simpkins following sustained pressure on the line, the Pride missed an opportunity to re-take the lead just before halftime after right wing Brenda Collins made a burst towards the corner but knocked on over the line.

Instead, it was the Cyclones who struck next, scoring a fortuitous try immediately after the break from a Wellington error inside their own 22 when a loose ball was hacked ahead and Wellington were forced to scramble a kick away that was charged down. Manawatu openside flanker Christie Yule cashed in to put them ahead 13-5.

This soon became 20-5 with Manawatu giving the ball more air into open spaces and Mayes making a telling break up into the 22 and putting fullback Winiata in the clear.

Wellington had to score next, and they nearly did so from a powerful break by centre Maryann Collins, followed by a series of attacking scrums and lineouts in Manawatu’s 22. Manawatu held these off, regained vital field position and Winiata raced in to score the bonus point try and the match winner with about 20 minutes to play.

The Pride hit back and scored a well-deserved try to openside flanker Aimee Sutorius, converted by Simpkins, but it was too late and Manawatu took their second successive bonus point win.

The Pride’s next match is away against Waikato, who lost 15-27 to Otago.

In Feilding, the Wellington U20s defeated Manawatu Maori 52-19 in their final pre-season match before the start of the Hurricanes U20 competition next weekend.

The Wellington U20s ran in three converted tries and kicked a penalty to lead 24-7 at halftime, maintaining the pressure and scoring four more tries in the second half. Fullback Andrew Ellis scored two tries, while midfielder Tyler Tane kicked all seven conversions and a penalty for 17 points.

At Fraser Park, The Wellington Maori Development side were defeated 8-53 by Wanganui B in their third and final pool match of the RDO Cup, ahead of finals day in Levin next weekend.

Scores:

In Christchurch: Wellington Maori 52 beat Canterbury Maori 51 (scorers coming soon)

At the Petone Recreation Ground: Wellington Pride 12 (Katarina Simpkins, Aimee Sutorious tries; Simpkins con) lost to the Manawatu Cyclones 25 (Selica Winiata 2, Chrystal Mayes, Christie Yule tries; Winiata pen; Rebecca Mahoney con) HT: Manawatu 8-5.

In Feilding: Wellington U20 52 (Andrew Ellis 2, Tuga Mativa, Aviata Silago, Cameron Ross, Eti Sului, Andrew Wells tries; Tyler Tane 7 con, pen) beat Manawatu Maori 19. HT: 24-7

At the Otaki Domain (pre-season): Wellington U18 42 beat Manawatu U18 0. Ht: Wellington 15-0.

At Fraser Park: Wellington Maori Development 8 lost to Wanganui B 53

In New Plymouth: Wellington U18 Centurions 13 lost to Taranaki U18 15

At Ngatitoa Domain: Wellington U16A beat Combined Schools 106-0

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