Tasman's ambitions to become the first team to win the ITM Cup championship and premiership in consecutive seasons solidified with their 38-10 victory over hosts Canterbury in the Crusaders local derby.
It was the first time Tasman had beaten Canterbury in Christchurch and it was a record victory. Tasman halfback Jimmy Cowan summed it up in a rare memorable half time interview: "It's about getting stuck into the top dog at home."
The win guarantees Tasman a home semi-final with one week of the regular season to play. Marty Banks' 74th intercept confirmed the four-try bonus point.
In contrast Canterbury have toil ahead if they're to add to their six back-to-back titles. The result was their third straight loss after previously going down to North Harbour and Southland. The task gets no easier against Taranaki this week.
The hosts dominated territory and possession for extensive periods but the visitors seized on moments of fragility, scything through the Canterbury defence twice in the first half to create an 11-point deficit.
Robbie Malneek's no-look pass should be loaded onto the season's highlights reel. He delivered the ball on the cut back to recidivist attacker James Lowe who, before last night's match, had gained the most metres (686) this season. His run to the line reflected the joie de vivre Tasman have brought to their game.
Lowe was also involved in the first try when he delivered to David Havili after distribution from the scrum. Canterbury hesitated on the tackle and Tasman capitalised.
Malneek also produced a rare upside down grubber kick which led to Cowan's try and extended the lead to 21-3 in the second half. In the tackle the fullback attempted to pop a pass which connected with his foot instead. Tasman seized on the ball in the confusion.
Despite Canterbury's disappointment, openside flanker Matt Todd showed tenacity. He shone at the breakdown, put in some menacing tackles and was potent with the ball in hand.
The early stanzas were beset by scrum problems; there were a series of scuffles more suited to sand pit than bear pit; and there was more latitude than longitude in the flow across the map of the field.
Canterbury could not take the entire blame for extended phases of possession without progress. Tasman's umbrella defence was too organised and their forwards regularly drove the hosts back beyond the advantage line. Canterbury would be ruing the rejection of three first half penalty shots which could have changed Tasman's strategy.
Canterbury 10 (M.Todd try, R.Mo'unga con, pen) Tasman 38 (D.Havili, J.Lowe 2, J.Cowan, M.Banks tries, Banks 5 con, pen) Halftime: Tasman 14-3.
- by Andrew Alderson
