Tasman consolidated their Mitre 10 Cup play-off hopes when they claimed an impressive 50-17 win over Southland in Nelson on Sunday.
The Makos were full value for their win after dominating for large periods and they eventually outscored their hapless visitors eight tries to three with Viliami Lolohea leading the way with a brace.
Tasman made a terrific start and raced into a 21-0 lead thanks to tries from Pete Samu, Lolohea and James Lowe which were all converted by Tim O'Malley.
Southland replied via a Mike Molloy try in the 15th minute but Tasman struck back with further five-pointers from Lolohea and Ethan Blackadder which gave them a 33-5 lead at half-time.
The visitors were fastest out of the blocks after the restart and tries from Aleki Morris and Elliot Dixon reduced the deficit to 33-17 by the hour-mark.
That was the last time they would score points, however, as Tasman finished stronger and tries from Jordan Taufua, Alex Nankivell and Mitchell Hunt sealed an emphatic victory.
The scorers:
For Tasman:
Tries: Lolohea 2, Samu, Lowe, Blackadder, Taufua, Nankivell, Hunt
Cons: O'Malley 4, Hunt
For Southland:
Tries: Molloy, Morris, Dixon
Con: Eade
Tasman: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Viliami Lolohea, 13 Trael Joass, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 James Lowe, 10 Tim O'Malley, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Ethan Blackadder, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Shannon Frizell, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Tim Perry (c)
Replacements: 16 Ti’i Paulo, 17 Tom Hill, 18 Suia Halanukonuka, 19 Pari Pari Parkinson, 20 Vernon Fredericks, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Mitch Hunt, 23 Robbie Malneek
Southland: 15 Ryan Tongia, 14 Michael Molloy, 12 Matthew Johnson, 13 Lewis Ormond, 11 Aleki Morris, 10 Scott Eade, 9 Jay Renton, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Tupou Sopoaga, 5 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 4 Michael McKee, 3 Guy Millar, 2 Thomas Flynn, 1 Shaun Stodart
Replacements: 16 Brayden Mitchell, 17 Morgan Mitchell, 18 Joe Walsh, 19 Jack Capil, 20 Phil Halder, 21 Neria Fomai, 22 William Talataina-Mu, 23 Bill Fukofuka
Referee: James Doleman
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