Tasman Mako have completed their second defence of the Ranfurly Shield and remain on top of the NPC table after earning a 31-17 win over Auckland in Nelson last night.
Tasman suffered their first defeat of the season last Saturday against Otago, but returned to Trafalgar Park to produce a dominant second half display and make sure the Shield stays in the province for another week.
Tasman won the Log o' Wood off Hawke's Bay with a 25-24 win and defended the Shield a week later with a 28-15 win against Wellington.
Auckland fullback Zarn Sullivan opened the scoring with a try in the eighth minute, but then received a yellow card in the 25th minute through poor discipline at a ruck, illegally clearing out a Tasman player.
Tasman capitalised on the man advantage with Jack Gray pouncing on a loose ball in the greasy conditions to give Tasman a 12-10 lead at half time.
The Mako extended their lead through the boot of William Havili who kicked four consecutive penalties at the start of the second half to give them a healthy 24-10 lead.
Tasman prop Ryan Coxon scored a try to push the game beyond doubt but Auckland did get the final say scoring an intercept try after 80 minutes.
Tasman will look to retain the Shield for the summer as they host third-placed Taranaki for the last round of the NPC.
The Mako will have added All Black reinforcements this weekend with Ethan Blackadder, Noah Hotham and David Havili returning to the side to play the last round of the NPC competition.
Taranaki will have Stephen Perofeta returning for them.
Auckland have struggled in the NPC this season, earning just three wins from nine matches and the loss sees them sit in 11th place on the table.
Auckland hasn't held the Shield since 2007 and last had the chance to challenge for the Log o' Wood in 2015 when they lost 17-12 to Hawke's Bay.
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