Rugby: Southern move into the top four of Taranaki premier club rugby

File photo by Pixl

Southern secured outright fourth place with two rounds remaining in Taranaki premier club rugby after a 45-21 victory over defending champions Stratford-Eltham at Hicks Park in Hāwera on Saturday.

The two sides entered the match level on competition points, but Southern's win lifted them to clear fourth while the result meant Stratford-Eltham slipped to fifth.

Although both teams now share the same win-loss record, Southern's two extra bonus points across the season proved the difference.

Southern laid the platform through a dominant scrum performance, using their forward pack to wear down the visitors throughout the contest.

The home side led 19-7 at halftime and carried that momentum into the second spell.

Highlanders midfielder Meihana Grindlay scored twice after the break as Southern seized control of the match.

Stratford-Eltham fought back through a pair of tries to captain Harry Hansen, but it was not enough as they suffered their seventh loss of the season.

Southern prop Dylan Skipworth played in his 100^th premier match.

New Plymouth Old Boys and Coastal played out the season's first draw at Vogeltown Park, with neither side able to be separated in a 36-all contest.

Old Boys had a chance to snatch victory right on fulltime, but a penalty attempt from Jacob Hawkins drifted wide.

There were several lead changes in the match, which featured 11 tries. Old Boys crossed five times, while Coastal ran in six in a free-flowing encounter.

Old Boys made up the difference through an extra conversion and a penalty goal.

It was tight throughout, with Coastal taking a narrow 19-17 lead into halftime.

The lead continued to change hands in the second spell. Old Boys held a three-point advantage with six minutes remaining before Ben Dufficy's try drew Coastal level.

Jackson Sinclair was unable to convert from out wide, leaving the scores locked at 36-all and setting up Hawkins' late shot at goal.

Tukapa snapped a four-match losing streak with a 52-26 victory over Inglewood at Sanders Park.

The hosts ran in eight tries to three, with Inglewood's Dion Schreiber crossing twice for the visitors.

Tukapa held a narrow advantage at halftime before pulling away in the second half, capitalising on an Inglewood side that missed 30 tackles throughout the match.

Down the road at Stadium Taranaki, at hat-trick to Clifton’s Paul Faoagali helped his side to a 50-12 win against United to remain unbeaten in the competition.

It was one-way traffic during the match as Clifton led 28-0 at halftime.

United scored two second half tries to Ezra Low and Oliver Sawtell.

In the penultimate round this weekend, Inglewood hosts Southern at TET Stadium, United plays Coastal at Stadium Taranaki, Tukapa travel to face Clifton at Tikorangi and Stratford-Eltham hosts Old Boys at Victoria Park.

Points table after 12 weeks; Clifton 43, Coastal 28, Old Boys 26, Southern 26, Stratford-Eltham 22, Tukapa 19, Inglewood 13, United 9.