Makos tame Taniwha at Trafalgar Park

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The Tasman Makos eventually wore down a defiant Northland team 33-23 in their Mitre 10 Cup rugby match at Nelson’s Trafalgar Park tonight.

Tasman won their third game of this season’s competition while ensuring Northland’s losing streak would grow to 17 consecutive games.

Tries to blindside flanker Tevita Kolomatangi and Quentin Strange helped the hosts earn a 20-7 halftime advantage

However, the men from the north refused to roll over early in the second half in deteriorating conditions.

Three penalties to Dan Hawkins got the visitors back in the game at 20-16 down with 20 minutes to play.

A try to Shannon Frizzel seemed to put the Makos back in command before Northland flanker Kara Pryor got off the defensive line quickly to score an intercept try for the quick reply.

The Makos were playing into a strong breeze in the second half and Marty Banks did well to land his third penalty goal, in a perfect night off the tee, to extend the margin to seven points with fie minutes to go.

Marty’s fourth penalty, in the final minute of play, sealed the game however, the Makos did not earn a four try bonus point which many would have expected them to gain.

The Makos will play Hawke’s Bay next Saturday in Napier