Away wins for Taranaki, Tasman, Canterbury
- NZ Sports Wire
- Aug 17
- 3 min read
Taranaki, Canterbury and Hawke's Bay have remained perfect in the National Provincial Championship (NPC).
Ranfurly Shield holders Taranaki routed Auckland 50-8 at Eden Park, Canterbury defeated Bay of Plenty 21-7 in Tauranga and Hawke's Bay were too good at home for North Harbour 36-22, while Tasman made it three road wins on Saturday, with a 28-14 win over Northland in Whangarei.
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Taranaki first-five Josh Jacomb scored the first hat-trick of the NPC season, including a double in the second half that quickly turned the match into a rout.
Wing Adam Lennox added two tries, while wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone and replacement Sage Walters-Hansen also scored for the Bulls, who led 22-3 at halftime and moved to the top of the standings with the statement victory.
Jacomb added six conversions and a penalty for an individual points total of 30.
Canterbury were also impressive as they held the Steamers, last year's beaten finalists, to just seven points at Tauranga Domain.
Six-test All Blacks lock Sam Darry crossed the line twice, while hard-working flanker Corey Kellow added the only points of the second half as Canterbury rode their brutal defence to take the points.
Hooker Kurt Eklund scored BOP's lone try, which tied things up at 7-7 in the 18th minute, but the home team's less expansive game plan on attack seemed to play into the hands of a well-organised Canterbury.
The Mako lifted to the cusp of the top-four with a composed bonus-point victory at Semenoff Stadium.
Tasman shared the tries around, with hooker Eli Oudenryn, second-five Levi Aumua, wing Macca Springer and reserve flanker Sione Havili Talitui dotting down.
The visitors seemed in control of the match, up 21-0 at halftime, but the Taniwha answered through backs Jordan Hutchings and Jordan Trainor to close within seven points with 25 minutes left. But Havili Talitui sealed the deal in the 63rd minute.
The only home team to win on Saturday, Hawke's Bay needed three late tries to overcome a determined North Harbour at McLean Park.
The Magpies trailed 22-19 after Harbour got two tries in five minutes from industrious flanker Jed Melvin and Sofai Notoa-Tipo, but first-five Harry Godfrey, centre Nick Grigg and wing Lukas Ripley all crossed the line in the final 15 minutes.
Grigg also scored in the first half for Hawke's Bay, along with former All Blacks halfback Folau Fakatava and lock Tom Parsons. Melvin grabbed a double for Harbour.
The NPC continues on Sunday with the defending champions Wellington hosting Otago at Porirua Stadium (kick-off 2.05pm), and Waikato welcoming Counties Manukau to Hamilton (kick-off 4.35pm).
NPC RESULTS
Taranaki 50 (Josh Jacomb 3, Adam Lennox 2, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Sage Walters-Hansen tries; Josh Jacomb 6 con, pen) Auckland 8 (Xavier Tito-Harris try; Alex Harford pen). HT: 22-3
Canterbury 21 (Sam Darry 2, Corey Kellow tries; James White 3 con) Bay of Plenty 7 (Kurt Eklund try; Kaleb Trask con). HT: 14-7
Tasman 28 (Eli Oudenryn, Levi Aumua, Macca Springer, Sione Havili Talitui tries; William Havili 4 con) Northland 14 (Jordan Hutchings, Jordan Trainor tries; Rivez Reihana 2 con). HT: 21-0
Hawke's Bay 36 (Nick Grigg 2, Folau Fakatava, Tom Parsons, Harry Godfrey, Lukas Ripley tries; Harry Godfrey 3 con) North Harbour 22 (Jed Melvin 2, Sofai Notoa-Tipo tries; Oscar Koller con, pen, Cameron Howell con). HT: 19-10
