QBE NORTH HARBOUR 45 - SOUTHLAND 20
Superb. Another game of 2 halves for our boys, but for the first time since 2006, we've won the first two games of the NPC. This is also our biggest win since our 42-10 win over Tasman in 2012.
The first half started well for the Stags, opening the scoring through an opportunist try to centre Matthew Johnson after a Harbour fumble near half way, and a scamper to the left wing corner to score. Eade added 2 from the sideline and the hosts were 7-0 up after 8 minutes. Shortly after, they looked like they might score in the opposite corner but for Jarrad Hoeata's magnificent effort, galloping 30m to snuff out the attack 5m short of the Harbour line (my Man-of-the-Match by the way. A WHALE of a game - Ed).
A penalty each to Bryn Gatland and Ryan Tongia made the score 10-3 at the 18 minute mark, and Matt Vaega scored our first of six tries after some coast to coast to coast backline movement, which Gatland duly converted to make it 10-all 10 minutes out from half time.
At the 36 minute Mark, new Harbour man Mike Tamoaieta made a crucial turnover, launching an attack from the Harbour 22m line, which led to Connor Collett, Brandon Nansen, and Chris Eves taking turns to rumble it 60m up field, where Bryn Hall, beck from his epic Crusaders campaign, fed left to Gatland who lobbed a perfect pass to Tevita Li on the wing, crossing for his first try of the night, and making it 15-10 approaching oranges. The Stags weren't finished in the first half though, and scored a superb try to halfback Liam Howley from consistent peppering of the Harbour tryline, and stealing a 5-pointer on the blindside of a ruck, 15 in from the left wing, diving at the ankles of the fringe defenders. Eade converted and at the turnaround, Southland were up 15-17.
Whatever coaches Tom Coventry and Dan Halangahu said at halftime needs to be bottled, because the second half was ALL Harbour. A few handling errors had crept in in the first stanza, and those were eliminated in the second 40 as Harbour's structure came to the fore. It always warms the heart when a front rower scores, and it was just desserts for Chris Eves as he crashed over for his first Harbour try after a dominant phase of forward driving and pick-n-going. Gatland's extras made it 22-17 after 46, and with one more penalty apiece at the 50 and 52 minute marks, Shaun Stevenson gathered a loose ball as the Stags attempted to mount an attack near our 22, and scooted 80m to score, his second try in 2 games in Harbour colours. Gatland's kick sailed right from 10 in from the right hand touchline, making it 30-20 after 57 minutes.
Matt Vaega grabbed his second for the night at 64 minutes after a bizarre lineout saw Jarrad Hoeata blaze 15 metres upfield when no-one laid a finger on him after taking a lineout ball, and the backline fired the ball to the left wing where Vaega powered over. 35-20 after 64.
When Ben Volavola made his Harbour debut with 12 to go on the clock, his first points for the Union came soon after through a 70 minute penalty, and with full time up on the clock, the forwards controlled the ball through a dominant drive, and Tevita Li went in in the left corner. Volavola converted and after 80 minutes, our boys ran out victors 45-20.
Our next game is an absolute ripper, and we've been missing it for a few years now.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3, QBE STADIUM ALBANY, versus AUCKLAND!
THE BATTLE OF THE BRIDGE!
Its Fathers Day and we're 12 wins on the bounce at QBE Stadium! Treat Dad, and make sure you come along and support our boys as they defend the ground we haven't lost on since October 2015!
Book your tickets here: https://tickets.harbourrugby.co.nz/event/view/mwrcv9bs5
You KNOW the Auckland fans will be arriving en masse, so grab the family and come along for an awesome day out and get behind our boys. YOU MAKE A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE!
$20 adults, and $10 for kids (under 16). See you there!
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