News

Canterbury climb the ladder

August 23 2008

Canterbury did what was asked as they claimed a sombre 14-0 result over Taranaki at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday.

Following an opening competition loss to Manawatu in the first round, the Cantabs have now recorded three straight wins - but this clash failed to excite the New Plymouth faithful.

In slippery conditions it was always going to be a territorial contest with the visitors keeping their opponents downfield during the early stages.

However, Taranaki firmly believed they could upset their heavyweight rivals and had the chance to open the scoring on 21 minutes when fly-half Willie Ripia struck a penalty wide of the uprights.

And with lock Jason Eaton and flank Scott Waldrom both impressing despite their side's breakdown frailties, Taranaki continued to keep pace and came close with Paul Perez just held out.

But from then on it was Canterbury who kept the scoreboard ticking over with fly-half Colin Slade finally getting his side off the mark on 26 minutes with a penalty goal.

Pivot Slade then doubled the lead on the half-hour as play continued to lack any real spark. Another penalty followed and with the scores seemingly locked at 9-0, Ripia missed another shot as defence dominated.

However, the Taranaki defence was finally breached in the final minutes as full-back Paul Williams barged over to hand both fans the game's opener at the death.

The scorers:

For Canterbury:

Tries: Williams

Pen: Colin Slade 3

Taranaki: 15 Asalemo Malo, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Jonathan Spratt, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Shayne Austin, 10 Willie Ripia, 9 Brett Goodin, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Scott Waldrom, 6 Nemia Soqeta, 5 Craig Clarke, 4 Jason Eaton, 3 Shane Cleaver, 2 Laurence Corlett, 1 Tony Penn (c).

Replacements: 16 James Annabell, 17 Carl Carmichael, 18 Leon Power, 19 Alex Tulou, 20 Brendan Haami, 21 Corey Niwa, 22 Jack Cameron.

Canterbury: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Scott Hamilton, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 James Paterson, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Tyson Keats, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Kieran Read (c), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Campbell Johnstone, 2 Steve Fualau, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Richard Wheeler, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Nasi Manu, 19 Hayden Hopgood, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Endo Kosuke.

Referee: Jonathon White

TMO: Brent Murray