Tasman dismantle Hawkes Bay to taste first victory in ITM Cup - Rugby News
Tasman clinched their maiden victory in the ongoing ITM Cup 2011 by defeating Hawkes Bay in the sixth round of New Zealand’s domestic tournament. Tasman overcame the stronger Hawkes Bay side by 21-19 on August 2, in McLean park, Napier after a great contest.
The Tasman side improved its winning ratio against the Bays by putting an extra effort in the match and proved too strong in the end for the Magpies.
Despite the fact that the home side Hawkes Bay took an early lead over the visitors, the Tasman bounced back in the match quite nicely and shocked the hosts with late efforts. Two well executed penalties by the Hawke's Bay fullback Richard Buckman put his
team ahead of the visitors and they tried their best to increase the lead with repeated attacks. The Tasman players became a little careful after the early unclean game and produced a much improved game afterwards.
Tasman’s winger, Mitchell Scott, had done a wonderful job to deceive the rival players during the 18th minute of the game to put his side on the board with a splendid try. They missed the follow up conversion shot in the next minute but Bay’s
player Buckman had committed no mistake to score on the third consecutive penalty in the 23rd minute of the match and extended his team’s total to 9-5.
Tasman reduced the hosts lead to 9-8 as Andrew Goodman scored a three pointer for his team and elevated his side further into the match with another successful penalty shot.
The Tasman side concluded the fist half with a slight difference of 14-11 and enlightened their chances to taste their first victory in the ITM Cup.
However, the Hawkes Bay started off their second half with an early penalty shot and levelled the score to 14 each just six minutes after the interval. The Tasman players were shaken by the Hosts when Adam Bradey crossed the try line to boost Bay with five
points. However, the rest of the game belonged to the Tasman side and they took a decisive lead of 21-19 with just a couple of minutes remaining in the match.
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