A strong second half showing has seen Tasman retain the Ranfurly Shield beating Auckland 31-17 in a rain-soaked match at Trafalgar Park
Tasman were accurate in the wet conditions, and once they figured out that Auckland weren't interested in winning the shield, and were more than happy to give them kickable penalties.
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William Havili was clinical off the tee, slotting four penalties and a conversion in the second half, including one at a very pivotal moment from wide out on the right.
Timoci Tavatavanawai was a highlight for the home side as was Finlay Christie and Fletcher Anderson too.
Top position on NPC ladder is there for the taking, but they will have to fend off Taranaki on Sunday with the Log o' Wood on the line.
For Auckland, who have hold held the Shield since 2007, the first half was promising, and they were right in it at the break, but collapsed in the second half as they were blighted by poor discipline once again.
Their scrum went downhill as did almost everything else. Tuaina Tualima and Akira Ioane were the best of the losing side as they shield chances went downhill along with making the top-eight.
The visitors first try cam through a superb effort by Zarn Sullivan who burst through a couple of tackles, outran, then dummied his way to a try, however he was let down by his discipline later in the match with a yellow card.
With time up on the clock, Caleb Tangitau plucked an intercept to sprint 80 metres to score a consolation try for Auckland.
Tasman had first half tries through powerful Timoci Tavatavanawai and right win Jack Gray while in the second half it was prop Ryan Coxon who crossed as Havilli kicked four penalties to keep the score ticking over.
Auckland host Bay of Plenty on Sunday at the slightly different location of Auckland Grammar School.
Tasman 31 (Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jack Gray, Ryan Coxon tries; William Havilli 2 con, 4 pen)
Auckland 17 (Zarn Sullivan, Caleb Tangitau tries; Harry Plumber 2 con, pen). HT 12-10
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