The Counties Manukau Development side defeated North Harbour 45-12 at East Coast Bays on Saturday. The limited time Counties Manukau had together showed in the first spell as they took a while to get going, however once they did they proved to be a strong side going out to a 21-0 lead in the first half. The visitors scrum was dominant with hooker Jamie Baker on song with accurate throwing and Counties picking up 100% of their ball from the line out while he was on. It was a show piece for the loose forwards with the heavy defense and strong carries. AJ Alatimu started the scoring with a penalty which winger Sepu Taufa added to with a converted try in the right corner. Alatimu slotted two more penalties before the half time whistle. In the second half North Harbour opened with a try which AJ Alatimu replied to with his own try in the left hand corner ten minutes later, which he converted. Epeli Lotawa scored an impressive solo try on the right wing from Counties Manukau’s 22 with a display of blistering pace and a big fend which was converted. Openside flanker Alamanda Motunga scored after a period of pressure in the North Harbour 22. North Harbour scored a converted try and Counties Manukau went down to 14 men. When replacement Josh Stol had the final say with a try in the right hand corner to finish the game. In a physical battle at Massey Park Counties Manukau B’s lost to North Harbour 25 22 on Saturday. Leading 22 20 with two minutes left on the clock, Counties Manukau had a midfield scrum that Harbour screwed giving the visitors the scrum feed. From there they launched multiple attacks and eventually outnumbered Counties and scored in the corner in the last second of the match. Both sides showed a willingness to run the ball with Harbour a little more accurate with their play and Counties probably guilty of a few too many 50/50 passes on attack. Lock George Crichton had a huge game for Counties and he was well supported by Captain, Sam Henwood , Rob Katu and backs Ethan James and Sione Fifita. Mark Talaese , Ethan James and Sione Fifita scored for Counties with Luke Graham and Michael Stanley adding the extras with the boot. The team travel to Pakuranga this week to meet Auckland B on Saturday 2.35pm kick off. This match will be a great encounter as the two sides have drawn both times over the last two years.
Posted on: Mon, 18 Aug 2014 07:18:31 +0000
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