Bulls Keep Season Alive Over Orcas   19 Sep 2016

Sunday, September 18, 2016
BULLS KEEP SEASON ALIVE OVER ORCAS

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Canterbury Bulls have kept alive their hopes of returning to the NZRL National Premiership final for a third consecutive year, but will have to improve on their 34-16 showing against Wellington Orcas.

After opening-round losses in Auckland, both teams were desperate to find winning form in the shortened format – another defeat spelling promotion/relegation dangerin two weeks.

Wellington had coughed up 60 points to Akarana seven days earlier and began this encounter in disastrous fashion, encroaching off-side at the kick-off. From the ensuing possession, rangy second-row Phil Nati crossed to put Canterbury on the scoreboard first.

Prop Michael Nathan responded for Wellington to level the scores, but two more tries before the break had the Bulls up 16-6 at half-time.

Five-eighth Darryl Marino found a gaping hole in the Canterbury defensive line to bring the Orcas within striking distance soon after the restart and the visitors hinted they could yet spring a surprise.

But tries to debutant Isaac Misky and veteran Corey Lawrie put the Bulls beyond reach at 28-10. Axton Daniels sprinted 80 metres for a consolation try for Wellington, before Nati put the final seal on victory and his man-of-the-match performance with his second touchdown.

The result means Canterbury can still progress to the competition title game onOctober 1 with a win over unbeaten Akarana Falcons in Christchurch next week, but if Counties Manukau also beat Wellington, the race would end in a three-way tie, with points differential likely deciding the finalists.

Meanwhile, Waikato and Southland Rams maintained their unbeaten records in the NZRL National Championship, and will meet next week in Invercargill for a shot at promotion to next year’s premiership.

Waikato turned aside Canterbury Development 20-4 at Hunlty, while Southland travelled to New Plymouth and overcame Taranaki Sharks 22-8, with Logo Peteru running in two tries.

NZRL NATIONAL PREMIERSHIP
Akarana Falcons 30 (Polima Siaki 2, Zae Wallace, Semisi Fotu & Cortez Taulu tries; Wallace 5 goals) Counties Manukau 24 (George Edwards, Johnny Vuetivau, Paulos Latu & Connor Purcell tries; Raymond Talimalie 4 goals)

Canterbury Bulls 34 (Phil Nati 2, Alani Kakoi, Matt Sauni, Isaac Misky & Corey Lawrie tries; Toi Sepuloni 5 goals) Wellington Orcas 16 (Michael Nathan, Bronson Marino & Axton Daniels tries; Himiona Henare 2 goals)

NZRL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Waikato 20 (Aaron Jolley, Morgan Harper, Teina Ngahiwi & Nick Read tries; Jolley 2 goals) Canterbury Development 4 (Faleolupe Siafia Upia try)

Southland 22 (Logolaeao Peteru 2, Jayleel Faamoe- Ioane & Chezevan Cameron tries; Faamoe-Ioane 3 goals) Taranaki 8 (Arepo Bishop & Jarron Scshcka tries)

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