Taranaki claimed a remarkable 55-43 come-from-behind win over Canterbury in a top-of-the-table clash in Christchurch on Friday.
Rob Thompson opened the scoring for Canterbury and then set up Tom Sanders for the home side's second score. Skipper Tim Bateman added a third after good work in intercepting the pass from Stephen Perofeta as the hosts raced into a 21-0 lead.
Seta Tamanivalu responded for the visitors but Canterbury were in again when George Bridge scored a good try, beating a few defenders in the process.
But Taranaki hit back with quickfire tries from Perofeta and Pita-Gus Sowakula to go into the interval trailing by 10 with the score 31-21.
Canterbury wing Braydon Ennor was the first to score after the break but the visitors responded with two again in quick succession; Ricky Riccitelli going over at the back of a lineout driving maul before Lachlan Boshier made things more interesting in the 53rd minute cutting the deficit to two points after Tamanivalu produced a terrific offload while falling into touch.
Again Tamanivalu did brilliantly to create the try and again Boshier was the man at the end of the move as Taranaki took the lead for the first time in the match in the 69th minute.
And they began to assert themselves on the match and press home an advantage as Manasa Mataele's converted try extended the lead to 52-38.
The last moments saw a Thompson consolation try and a Perofeta drop goal as the visitors claimed a remarkable comeback victory in this top-of-the-table clash that ended 55-43 to Taranaki, who take home the Ranfurly Shield.
For Canterbury:
Tries: Thompson 2, Sanders, Bateman, Bridge, Ennor,
Cons: Mo'unga 5
Pens: Mo'unga
For Taranaki:
Tries: Tamanivalu, Perofeta, Sowakula, Riccitelli, Boshier 2, Mataele
Cons: McKenzie 7
Pen: McKenzie
Drop Goal: Perofeta
Taranaki: 15 Marty McKenzie, 14 Declan O’Donnell, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Sean Wainui, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Pita-Gus Sowakula, 5 Leon Power, 4 Kane Thompson, 3 Angus Ta’avao (c), 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Mitchell Graham
Replacements: 16 Donald Maka 17 Reuben O’Neill 18 Mike Kainga 19 Fin Hoeata 20 Brad Tucker 21 Adrian Wyrill 22 Logan Crowley 23 Charlie Ngatai
Canterbury: 15 George Bridge, 14 Josh McKay, 13 Tim Bateman (c), 12 Rob Thompson, 11 Braydon Ennor, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Reed Prinsep, 7 Billy Harmon, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Alex Hodgman
Replacements: 16 Nathan Vella, 17 Chris Gawler, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Hamish Dalzell, 20 Dylan Nel, 21 Jack Stratton, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Inga Finau
Referee: Mike Fraser
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