Waikato Under 20's Beat Taranaki
17th August 2009 10:39AM
TEAM: Waikato Under 20’s v Taranaki
Backs: Kane Adams, Glen Robinson, Declan O'Donnell, Joe Perawiti, Maru Henry, Joe Reynolds, Jono Malo
Forwards: Rory Grice, Jackson Nightingale, Adrian Hall, Josh Tyrell, Max Turnwald, Longo Takataka, Nick Seymour, Latu Talakai.
Reserves: Nathan Lamb, Trent Natress, Rakutia Vakalalabure, Jimmy Horsford, Joe Scheres, Bevin Wright, Aaron Kelly, Semiti Gaunavou, Steven Lowe, Vance Elliot.
Result: Won 45 - 6
Tries: Joe Perawitit x 2, Declan O'Donnell, Jono Malo, Josh Tyrell, Nick Seymour, Rakutia Vakalalabure
Conversions: Kane Adams (x3) Penalty Kicks: Trent Nattress (x2)
Drop Goals:
Conditions: Wet weather but played on a firm pitch.
The Waikato U20 team played their last preseason game against Taranaki at Otorohanga on Saturday before commencing on their Northern Regions campaign against Counties next Sunday.
The home team had a slow start which saw them lack accuracy and to much turn over ball at the break down before picking up from where they left off against Thames Valley the previous week.
The forwards stepped up a gear and begun to compete better in the set piece and at the break down which saw them present a better platform for the backs to attack from. Leading into the break after the slow start the Waikato U20 still had a 21 - 6 half time lead.
The second half saw a bigger Taranaki pack come out which seemed to lift the tempo of the Waikato pack. Well led by captain Nick Seymour and Max Turnwald the home team ripped into their tasks knocking Taranaki off their own ball and showing lots of aggression in the tackle area. This allowed the talented back line to break the advantage line on a number of occasions resulting in five excellent tries to the backs.
Joe Perawiti and Declan O'Donnell were strong in their ability to break the opposition line while the backs chased hard and constantly put pressure on their opposites with some bone shattering tackles.
