Northland have earned their first win of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup season, taking down Taranaki 18-17 thanks to a penalty after the full time hooter.
In a tight contest at Toll Stadium in Whangarei this afternoon, Taranaki led the contest for most of the match after they get things going with an early try to Latu Vaeno.
Northland managed to level things thanks to Tom Robinson but a strong finish to the half by the visitors and winger Manasa Mataele saw Taranaki head to the sheds with a 17-10 lead.
The Taniwha kept the pressure on though in the second half, eventually crossing over after Tamati Tua sliced through the defence and reduced the deficit to 17-15.
From there, both defences became desperate in shutting down the opposition until finally pressure got to Jesse Parete and he gave away a penalty at a ruck right in front of his posts with the full time hooter gone.
Matt Wright stepped forward for the pressure kick and slotted it, handing Taranaki their second loss in four games so far this season as they dropped to fifth in the Premiership.
The win gave Northland a healthy boost though, sending them to fourth on the Championship ladder ahead of Manawatu, Waikato and Southland.
SHARE ME