News
| Lions score six tries in big win over Northland |
|
The Vodafone Wellington Lions earned a comprehensive 43-19 victory over the Northland Taniwha in their ITM Cup round 8 clash at Westpac Stadium on Wednesday night.
The Vodafone Wellington Lions ran in six tries against Northand to take maximum points from the match, ahead of their next encounter on Saturday night against Manawatu. Right wing Alapati Leiua scored a first half brace, while halfback Frae Wilson, loose forwards Faifili Levave and Victor Vito and replacement hooker Dane Coles all found the whitewash. The Lions also kept Northland Northland tryless until late in the match when opposing skipper Jared Payne scored a runaway try with the outcome already decided. The bonus point win for the Lions was their seventh consecutive competition win with four tries or greater against Northland. A strong scrum, committed defence inside their own 22 and clinical finishing were the highlights for the Lions in the first half, with right wing Leiua scoring two of three tries as part of a 22-6 lead that they took into the turnaround. First five-eighth Lima Sopoaga put the Lions on the board with a penalty after three minutes. A solid period of phase play led to the first try-scoring chance in the corner. Busy prop Reg Goodes was held up over the line and the Lions were awarded a 5-metre scrum in a prime attacking position. From the set-piece, No. 8 Faifili Levave broke off the back and looked to score in the corner. Levave turned the ball back on the inside to halfback Frae Wilson who scored the try to extend the early advantage to 8-0. The Lions missed a second try scoring opportunity from a penalty and lineout in the corner, before a dominant scrum and another concerted raid put centre Shaun Treeby in space up the right hand touchline. Treeby passed inside to right wing Alapati Leiua and he scooted through for the second try. Sopoaga converted to extend the lead to 15-3. Northland's first clear chance of the match came from a penalty and attacking lineout at Wellington's end of the field, but the Lions forwards drove their Northland opposites back and won a turnover. But the Lions struck with their third try just before halftime, with both Lions wings, Hosea Gear and Leiua, key protagonists. Gear made a trademark powerful bust up the left-hand touchline, dragging defenders in his wake. The Lions recycled, second five-eighth Michael Hobbs flung a wide pass out to fullback Cory Jane and Jane handed Leiua his second try in the corner. Sopoaga kicked the conversion to give the Lions a well-deserved 22-6 lead at the turnaround. The Lions made a terrific start to the second half, surging forward from an attacking scrum that they won from the re-start and No.8 Levave crossing untouched on the end of a backline chain to score the fourth and bonus point try. Sopoaga added the extras to extend the lead.. Northland made steady inroads, their captain and centre Jared Payne cut down with the tryline near. The Northlanders were awarded an ensuing penalty and Munro couldn't capitalised. Munro didn't miss with his next strike, the Taniwha closing the margin to 29-12. The Lions won possession back from the kick-off and a long, patient build-up led to a well-worked team try that was scored by replacement flanker Victor Vito. Replacement hooker Dane Coles' first act of the match was to score a try, pouncing over the whitewash after a dart at the line from a scrum by replacement halfback TJ Perenara. Sopoaga's fifth conversion from six attempts extended the advantage to 43-12. Fullback Cory Jane made a lovely run up the touchline, kicked and chased and forced Northland back on to the defensive inside their 22. Northland scrambled out of danger, and then they scored a runaway intercept try to Payne, converted by Munro to close the deficit to 43-19 heading into the final 10 minutes. The Lions and Northland have now played each other 27 times in ITM Cup/NPC rugby. The Lions have now won 22 of these and Northland five. The Vodafone Wellington Lions host the Manawatu Turbos on Saturday night, kick-off 7.35pm.
Scores: Vodafone Wellington Lions 43 (Alapati Leiua 2, Frae Wilson, Faifili Levave, Victor Vito, Dane Coles tries; Lima Sopoaga pen, 5 con) Northland 19 (Jared Payne try; Lachie Munro 4 pen, con). HT: 22-6.
The scoring action (by minute): 3rd: Lima Sopoaga penalty. Lions 3-0
1. Reggie Goodes Replaced by Jacob Ellison, 61st minute Reserves
|