QBE Harbour’s hopes of a place in the ITM Cup playoffs next week were crushed as Wellington produced their best forty minutes of the season, running in six tries in the second half to win 58-34.
The two halves couldn’t have been more contrasting at the Cake Tin.
The first was dominated by the boot of Wellington first five eighth Willie Ripia, who made Harbour pay for ill-discipline inside their half by ticking the scoreboard over in threes.
Two opportunist tries by midfielders Pita Ahki and Matt Vaega kept Harbour in the match, but you could see Wellington were building momentum as they headed to the sheds down 17-15.
The first of the sixty second half points were scored just ninety seconds after referee Jamie Nutbrown resumed play. Replacement back Jackson Garden-Bachop crossed for the Lions in the right corner, and Willie Ripia made no mistake with the conversion to give Wellington a 22-17 lead.
Matt McGahan stopped the run of 16 consecutive Wellington points with a penalty in the 49th minute to bring the gap to 22-20, but this only fired the Lions into life.
Victor Vito and Brad Shields scored within the space of five minutes, while Willie Ripia added another three pointer to extend the advantage to 37-20 with 14 minutes to spare.
Harbour didn’t go down without a fight, with ITM Cup debutant Raniera Takarangi leading the resurgence. The replacement halfback scored a try within minutes of replacing Luke Hamilton, before his quick delivery from the ruck helped Tevita Li score to put Harbour within three points of the lead.
With the scores at 37-34 and the clock at 70 minutes the game was anyone’s for the taking. Unfortunately for the faithful Harbour fans it was Wellington who upped the ante.
In the space of six minutes the Lions scored three tries, lock Ross Filipo converting two of them in what is likely to be his final game for Wellington.
Final score 58-34, but there was a whisker of hope. Li’s try in the 69th minute secured Harbour a bonus point, putting them into fourth spot on the Championship ladder with Hawke’s Bay and Southland still to play in Napier.
The Magpies had to win by eight or more whilst restricting Southland to three tries or less. It wasn’t to be as the Stags battled valiantly for a 20-all draw, just falling short of snatching the Ranfurly Shield in the process.
Two competition points meant the Stags leap-frogged Harbour into fourth spot, which booked them a date with Manawatu next week.
It was certainly a season of progress under new head coach Steve Jackson and captain Bryn Hall. Harbour can hold their heads high for ending the season with a winning record of 3-2 at home, whilst unearthing raw talent like Gerard Tuioti-Mariner and Josh Blucher at a provincial level.
Consistency and a better start to the season will be the key, Harbour certainly showed how capable they are in particular with their memorable upset win over Canterbury.
Bring on 2015.
Wellington 58 (Jackson Garden-Bachop, Victor Vito, Brad Shields, Vaea Fafita, Ross Filipo, TJ Perenara tries; Willie Ripia 3 con, 6 pen, Ross Filipo 2 con) Harbour 34 (Pita Ahki, Matt Vaega, Tevita Li, Raniera Takarangi tries; Matt McGahan 3 con, 2 pen, Dan Halangahu con). HT: 17-15 (Harbour).
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