News

Canterbury cement second spot

September 27 2008

Canterbury sealed second place in the Air New Zealand Cup with a comfortable 31-7 victory over Hawke's Bay in Christchurch on Saturday.

In a poor spectacle due to wet conditions, all but seven of the points were logged in the first period with a brace from Andy Ellis the highlight.

However, the Magpies had started off the stronger and crossed within six minutes when centre Sam Giddens' chip found Zac Guildford waiting wide out to stun the hosts.

Giants Canterbury responded soon after though when Stephen Brett broke through a hole to hand on to half-back partner Ellis to level matters.

The forgotten All Black nine then added his second on 25 minutes as he darted over from five metres out with Brett converting to take the scores to 14-7.

And the hosts continued to mount pressure on the Bay's whitewash up until the break and when Brett slid a clever grubber through for Tim Bateman the points seemed secured.

Brett then added a drop-goal prior to half-time with home side's advantage a healthy one at 24-7.

Upon their return conditions worsened at ANZ Stadium with both outfits struggling to sustain any serious possession or mount attacks with errors marring the spectacle. The only entertainment coming from a small pocket of Hawke's Bay fans who sang hard to lift their side.

However, Canterbury's knack of scoring late on in games came to the fore in injury-time as replacement flank George Whitelock fended a tackle to race half the length for the bonus-point.

The scorers:

For Canterbury:

Tries: Ellis 2, Bateman, Whitelock

Con: Brett 3, Slade

Drop: Brett

For Hawke's Bay:

Tries: Guildford

Con: Giddens

Canterbury: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 James Paterson, 13 Adam Whitelock, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Stephen Brett, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Mose Tuiali'i, 7 Hayden Hopgood, 6 Kieran Read (c), 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Michael Paterson, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 George Whitelock, 20 Steve Alfeld, 21 Hamish Gard, 22 Colin Slade.

Hawke's Bay: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Jason Kupa, 13 Jason Shoemark, 12 Sam Giddens, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Waenga, 9 Danny Lee, 8 George Naoupu, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Michael Johnson (c), 5 Bryn Evans, 4 Matt Egan, 3 Anthony Perenise, 2 Hikawera Elliot, 1 Faka'anaua Taumalolo.

Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Jodie Allen, 18 Johan Snyman, 19 Adam Bradey, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Richard Buckman, 22 Mark Jackman.

Referee: Jonathon White

TMO: Keith Brown