Rugby: Southern survive late scare to pip Tukapa

File photo by Scott Siffleet

Just seven days after suffering one of the heaviest defeats in recent Taranaki premier club rugby history, Southern has responded in the best possible fashion, holding on for a 35-31 win over Tukapa on Saturday.

Thrashed 102-12 by Clifton last week, Southern responded with a determined performance to secure just their second win of the season.

But the Hāwera-based club had to survive a tense finish, defending deep in their own territory during referee’s time after Tukapa launched a prolonged attack just metres from the try line.

Southern eventually forced a turnover after Tukapa became isolated following multiple phases, sealing a hard-fought victory.

The win lifted Southern off the bottom of the table, while Tukapa remained inside the competition’s top three.

It looked set to be one-way traffic early after Tukapa raced to a 21-7 halftime lead.

The visitors looked dangerous with ball in hand, regularly exposing gaps in the Southern defence and building sustained pressure inside the 22.

Southern hit back straight after the break, but Tukapa extended their advantage again to lead 28-14 with 25 minutes remaining.

However, three consecutive tries sparked a Southern comeback, with Tane Leatherby crossing with three minutes left to hand the home side the lead before they survived a late Tukapa onslaught.

Defending champions Stratford-Eltham scored with the final play of the game to snatch a dramatic 31-28 win over United at Stadium Taranaki.

Trailing 28-24 with less than a minute to play, Stratford-Eltham launched one last attack and powered over from a lineout just metres from the try line, with captain Harry Hansen crashing across to seal their third win of the season.

Hansen finished with two tries, while first five Rocky Olsen also crossed twice and added three conversions in a 16-point haul.

For United, they could not replicate the first-round result against Stratford-Eltham and it was the second straight week they had built a strong first-half lead only for the opposition to fight back.

Ezra Low scored a try in his 50th appearance for United, while Jax Morgan contributed 13 points.

At Tikorangi, Clifton’s dominant run continued with a 50-17 win over second-placed New Plymouth Old Boys.

Clifton scored eight tries to three, but Old Boys stayed in the contest during the opening half and trailed just 19-10 at the break.

However, Clifton’s potent attack took over in the second spell as they pulled away to secure an eighth consecutive victory.

In the weekend’s remaining match, Coastal moved into second on the ladder with a 49-3 win over Inglewood at TET Stadium.

Coastal controlled the match from the outset, scoring seven tries, including one in the opening minute.

Jackson scored a try himself and added six conversions, while Jamie Viljoen scored Inglewood’s only points.

In the women’s competition, Inglewood beat Patea 67-20 and Stratford-Eltham defeated Tukapa 84-14.

Next weekend, Inglewood hosts Stratford-Eltham at TET Stadium, Coastal travels to Tikorangi to face Clifton, Old Boys meet Tukapa at Vogeltown Park and Southern hosts United at Hicks Park.

After eight weeks, the standings are: Clifton 23, Coastal 15, Tukapa 14, Old Boys 12, Southern 11, Inglewood 7, Stratford-Eltham 7 and United 6.