ITM Cup round-three: Northland destroys Manawatu
Northland was stellar at home in their third-round match-up against Manawatu this weekend, destroying the visitors for their second win of the season.
The victory was never in doubt for Northland as they cruised to success over an inept Manawatu side. The home team was able to amass an incredible seven tries, while Jared Payne was stellar recording four tries on his own. The home side was able to build up an incredible lead in the first half and carried right through to the end of the match. Northland showed their offensive prowess destroying Manawatu, 77-8.
Recap
The game was hardly a contest as Northland were simply too good for a depressed-looking Manawatu side.
The two teams started off the game by trading penalties early. The match remained tied until Day Pryor crossed the whitewash for Northland’s first try of the day.
Lachie Munro was sent to the sin bin shortly after the Pryor try, however the penalty seemed to spark the home side, as Payne began his impressive day with a try to extend the lead.
Manawatu was able to muster their only try of the match courtesy of Ma’afu Fia to record his team’s eighth point of the match early. However, that was all Manawatu would be able to collect on the day, as Southland took over the competition.
Payne scored his second try of the afternoon before half, giving the home side an impressive 30-8 lead at the break.
After the rest, it was more of the same from Northland who kept the pressure on, first with a try from David Holwell.
Southland then began to really press as Rhyan Caine, Mark Burman, Payne and Lachie Munro all scampered across the line for tries, putting the game well out of reach.
Northland simply embarrassed Manawatu watching the clock tick down on a 77-8 victory, their second at Toll Stadium this season.
Northland got incredible performance from many of their players, but the display put on my Payne was unmatched, dotting down for four tries in the match. Moreover, Munro must also be given credit, hammering home 32 points in an impressive display at the tee.
Manawatu was humiliated, and have little to nothing they can take away from the match. They were too relaxed on defence, and will have several questions to answer on the practice pitch this week.
Analysis
Northland have been stellar at home this season, completing their second win in as many home matches. Nevertheless they will have to try and find a way to transfer their form to away games if they hope to make it through to the second round.
Manawatu have begun another tough season, and have shown they still have a lot to improve upon before they can be considered a true premiership side.
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