Northland and Wellington win their first round matches: ITM Cup Day 3 - Rugby News
ITM Cup 2011 kicked off on July 14 with the inaugurating clash between Otago and North Harbour. During the third day of the first round of the ITM Cup, Northland and Wellington grabbed opening victories against Tasman and Taranaki, on July 16.
According to details, the first match of the day was played between Northland and Tasman with Northland coming out on top. Northland overcame the Tasman side with a comprehensive margin of 19-9 after a sluggish game from both sides. Northland managed to
score the first try of the game in the third minute and crossed the try line again in the 19th minute. Despite the fact that the match started with great pace, no big plays were made later on in the match.
The Tasman side did not have a great time in the field as they scored on only two penalty shots and a plenty goal in the match. Daniel Faleafa, Aaron Bancroft and Lachie Munro scored one try each for their team. Furthermore, Munro kicked two successful conversions
into the Tasman’s goals. The last bit of action in the match was seen during the 66th minute as Goodman added a three pointer plenty goal for Tasman. The Tasman side had tried to resist the attack but their forward packs were never up to the mark
in the clash.
The second game of the day was played between Taranaki and Wellington, which was again a low scoring match-up. The provincial side of Wellington had smooth sailing as they ended the game with 23-5 at the scoreboard.
Wellington side was awarded with a plenty goal very early in the match and their centre, Michael Hobbs, committed no mistake to make it 3-0 for his team. Jason Woodward came into the action late in the first-half and increased his team’s lead to 8-0 with
a well executed try in the 38th minute of the match. The Wellington team had amassed an eight-point lead at the interval.
Taranaki tried to bounce back in the match and scored a quick try shortly after the break. Jayden Hayward had done well to deceive the defencive pack of the Wellington in the 50th minute of the match and took it home.
Jason Woodward again shined for his team in the 56th minute with his second try and put the Wellington team at a 13-5 lead over Taranaki. Weepu added a further two points to his team’s total on a follow up conversion kick.
Weepu availed another opportunity on a penalty kick in the 67th minute. There came a proud moment for Woodward, who completed his hat-trick with a third individual try in the 69th minute of the match for Wellington. The winners ended
up the match with 23-5 to record their first victory in the competition.
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