Taranaki have won their third straight match in the National Provincial Championship (NPC), perhaps fortuitously.
A 79th-minute try from first-five Josh Jacomb lifted the Bulls to a 25-19 victory over Waikato at New Plymouth's Yarrow's Stadium on Sunday but the post-match attention was on two passes in the lead-up.
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Down 19-18 and attacking from their own end, a pass from reserve back Jason Potroz to put wing Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens through a gap appeared to travel forward. Following the ensuing ruck, halfback Adam Lennox was sent away down the right flank with a pass that was a line-ball at best.
Lennox evaded a Waikato defender, linked up with second-five Daniel Rona, who passed in-field to Jacomb, who had missed a go-ahead penalty minutes earlier, to scamper 30m for the match-winner to claim the Ryan Wheeler Memorial Trophy.
Up until that point, Jacomb may have been on the hook for the loss, having missed three first-half conversions and two second-half penalties, which could have already had the Bulls out of reach.
Earlier, the defending NPC champions had stormed out to a 15-0 lead after 15 minutes, with tries to wing Verekini Tikoisolomone and a double from Rona, the second coming from a 45m intercept jog.
Waikato hit back before halftime through wing Tepaea Cook-Savage, and after Jacomb extended Taranaki's lead to 11 with 46th-minute penalty, No 8 Patrick McCurran and wing Gideon Wrampling scored to put the Mooloos up.
In Round 6, Taranaki travel to Tauranga to face Bay of Plenty on Saturday (kick-off 2.05pm), while Waikato host Hawke's Bay on Saturday night (kick-off 7.05pm).
Counties Manukau also needed a late try from reserve back Jadin Kingi to see off Northland's challenge in a 25-14 victory at Pukekohe's Navigation Homes Stadium.
In the battle of the two one-win teams, the Steelers had seen their 18-0 halftime lead whittled down to four points entering the final 10 minutes. However, Kingi reached over to score in the 72nd minute, making it a two-score game.
Similarly to Taranaki earlier in the day, Counties Manukau scored three unanswered tries for first-five AJ Alatimu, centre Tevita Ofa and fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo, with Alatimu failing with all three conversion attempts.
The Taniwha dominated extended periods of the second half, with prop Chris Apoua and hooker Matt Moulds rewarded with tries, closing the gap to 18-14.
Next week, Counties Manukau remain at home to host Otago on Sunday (kick-off 2.05pm), while Northland host Auckland in Whangarei on Sunday (kick-off 4.35pm).
Taranaki 25 (Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Daniel Rona 2, Josh Jacomb tries; Josh Jacomb con, pen) Waikato 19 (Tepaea Cook-Savage, Patrick McCurran, Gideon Wrampling tries; Aaron Cruden con, D'Angelo Leuila con). HT: 15-7
Counties Manukau 25 (AJ Alatimu, Tevita Ofa, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Jadin Kingi tries; Riley Hohepa con, pen) Northland 14 (Chris Apoua, Matt Moulds tries; Rivez Reihana 2 con). HT: 18-0
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