Stingrays Stung by Falcons Flurry   19 Sep 2016

Saturday, September 17, 2016
STINGRAYS STUNG BY FALCONS FLURRY

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An incredible second-half turnaround has propelled Akarana Falcons past reigning champions Counties Manukau and into outright favouritism for this year’s NZRL National Premiership.

Trailling 24-6 at half-time, the Auckland-based side seemed dead and buried, but rattled off 24 unanswered points to emerge 30-24 winners over 80 minutes.

The result means Akarana will finish round two of the premiership as the only unbeaten team, regardless of the outcome between Canterbury and Wellington on Sunday, with one foot already in the final on October 1.

None of that seemed possible after 40 minutes, with the Stingrays well on top.

Akarana had stunned their southern rivals in the opening minutes, hacking a dropped ball over the goal-line for teenage half Zae Wallace to touch down for a try that he would also convert.

But Counties were quickly into their work, and ran in tries to George Edwards, Johnny Vuetivau, Paulos Latu and Connor Purcell, all converted by Raymond Talimalie, to build their seemingly unsurpassable advantage at the break.

Falcons coach Keith Hanley knew his team were capable of scoring points, but their defensive pressure after the restart created some chances to strike back.

Semisi Fotu began the comeback with a try, before regathering another spilt ball to send Polima Siaki in for the first of two tries, his second levelling the score at 24-24.

They edged ahead when Wallace niggled Stingrays veteran Roman Hifo into retaliation in front of the posts and then coolly slotted the penalty, an old-school play from the rookie.

Both sides lost a man, when frustrations spilled over, and Talimalie and Fotu were sent to the side-line.

Cortez Saulu went across in the corner to stretch the margin for Akarana, but Counties Manukau still had four minutes on the clock to salvage a draw.

Hot on attack, they chanced their arm with a long pass that was cut out by Falcons five-eighth Henry Dunn to end the danger.

The Stingrays had one more chance inside the final minute, but died with ball as the hooter sounded.

Despite their heroics, Akarana are far from secure in the title game – they must travel to Christchurch next week and a road loss to the Bulls could still up a three-way tie for the top two spots.

Meanwhile, Waikato have preserved their unbeaten record in NZRL National Championship play, turning aside Canterbury Development 20-4 in Huntly.

The home side were never seriously threatened, building a 16-0 lead by half-time and defending that margin over the final 40 minutes.

NZRL NATIONAL PREMIERSHIP
Friday, September 16
Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland
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)

Sunday, September 18
4pm, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
Canterbury Bulls v Wellington Orcas

NZRL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Saturday, September 17
Waikato 20 (Aaron Jolley, Morgan Harper, Teina Ngahiwi & Nick Read tries; Jolley 2 goals) Canterbury Development 4 (Faleolupe Siafia Upia try)

5pm, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth
Taranaki Sharks v Southland Rams

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