The Tasman Mako escaped from their “Storm Week” with a victory – but it was by the skin of their teeth.
At Trafalgar Park this afternoon they overcame a stern challenge from North Harbour, winning 20-15 in golden point extra time after the scores were level 15-15 at the end of regulation time.
Explosive winger Timoci “Jim” Tavatavanawai was the hero for the local side, desperate to register a win after being beaten by Northland last Saturday and Wellington midweek.
Tavatavanawai scored with seven minutes remaining in normal time, bringing the scores level. Then, after Macca Springer’s conversion attempt struck the post, the match went into overtime.
Playing the 10 minutes of extra time into the wind, Tasman surged onto attack and found enough time and space on the right to give Tavatavanawai a run at the corner, the Central powerhouse making no mistake as he bulldozed over the line to secure a much-needed win.
Despite grabbing the points, Tasman would not be happy with their display.
There were too many errors for that, and they appeared jaded at times after a whole-hearted Ranfurly Shield challenge on Wednesday. But they hung in there against a fresher Harbour outfit and ultimately reaped the reward, although the result could well have gone the other way.
The first half was a scrappy affair and ended with the visitors, who had first use of a steady wind at their backs, having scored two tries to their hosts’ one.
The Mako struck first, buoyed by the return of leading forwards Ethan Blackadder and Pari Pari Parkinson, hooker Feleti Kaitu’u rumbling over on the back of a lineout drive in the eighth minute.
However, Harbour were quick to respond.
After stringing together 18 phases of attack Harbour prop Tevita Mafile’o crashed over from close range, rewarding his side for their patience and accuracy on attack.
A couple of Tasman errors invited the visitors back into the strike zone six minutes later and this time it was first five Oscar Koller who darted over in the corner, again after multiple phases.
Tasman had a string of opportunities to level the scores before the break but a combination of poor decisions, inaccuracy and handling errors conspired to deny them.
A point of difference in the first 40 for Harbour was their livewire halfback Jamie Booth, whose decision-making and cool head gave him a clear edge over Mako opposite Louie Chapman.
Tom Marshall, who had a standout match in the 10 shirt, sparked a try for Springer five minutes after oranges, but Harbour bounced back 10 minutes later, midfielder Henry Taefu crossing the Tasman line to put the northerners ahead 15-10, setting the stage for Tavatavanawai’s late heroics in a seven-try match which included no successful goal kicks.
Next up Tasman will play Manawatu in Nelson on Sunday, with a 4.35pm kick-off.
Scores: Tasman 20 - after extra time (Timoci Tavatavanawai 2, Macca Springer, Feleti Kaitu’u tries) North Harbour 15 (Tevita Mafile’o, Oscar Koller, Henry Taefu tries). HT: 10-5 Harbour.
