Lions fall short in NPC final

For the eighth time in 20 years, the Wellington Lions have fallen short at the final hurdle of the National Provincial Championship, beaten 14-31 by the Tasman Mako in the Premiership final on Saturday evening.

The Lions had their chances to push the Mako close and perhaps press on for the win had one or two opportunities stuck, but the bounce of the ball and desperate home side defence conspired to thwart their chances.

The Lions trailed 26-14 throughout much of the second half, before a late runaway try to Tasman right wing Will Jordan sealed the winning score for the home side in Nelson.

The Lions were also left to rue two shocking errors from kick-offs that both directly led to seven-point tries in the first half. The second of these to captain and fullback David Havili put them up 23-6.

For their part, Tasman won the Premiership final for the first time in four final attempts in their history and completed an unbeaten season for the first time by any team since 2007.

Tasman first five-eighth Mitchell Hunt had opened the final by slotting  two early penalties to put the home side ahead 6-0.

Wellington opposite Jackson Garden-Bachop missed two consecutive penalties in reply, before kicking his third penalty in the 15th minute after a strong period of attack.

Tasman won the next kick-off, leading to right wing Will Jordan bursting through a gaping hole to score the first try of the final. Hunt’s conversion made it 13-3 to the home side.

Hunt kicked his third penalty and Garden-Bachop his third, advancing the score to 16-6.

Tasman struck to score their second try directly off a re-start. Wellington dropped the ball cold from the kick-off and a rapacious Tasman ripped it wide to fullback David Havili who flew in to score. Hunt kicked the extras and the Mako led 23-6.

Garden-Bachop kept Wellington in the game, kicking his third penalty.

The Lions hit back with a strong surge of phase play, tighthead prop Alex Fidow finishing off the movement with a short pick and drive and barging over the chalk. This closed the score to 23-14 after 30 minutes.

With two minutes to play before halftime, Lions lock James Blackwell went desperately close to scoring a try after a wild clearing pass by Tasman. But the bounce of the ball eluded him and Tasman escaped with a 22 re-start.

The Lions poured back on to attack but the Mako held on to halftime.

The opening stanza of the second half was evenly poised, before Hunt drew first blood with a 49th minute penalty to extend their lead to 26-14.

Hunt shanked another penalty kick that would have put Tasman up by 15 points.

Shortly after, Lions left wing turned centre Vince Aso intercepted a pass and took off. He was dragged down in a desperate tackle by Mako wing Jordan tracking back on cover defence. The ball spilled free into the in-goal and replacement wing Pepesana Patafilo chased up and claimed a try.

Referee Jackson went upstairs to the TMO and the try was ruled out owing to a slight knock-on from Aso as he was tackled.

The Lions won a turnover from the next scrum and attacked the line through 18 phases, but the Mako defence held on once more and veteran prop Wyatt Crockett made a try-saving turnover.

Crockett effected a second turnover soon after, after another build-up by the Lions that was thwarted under Tasman’s poles

Replacement hooker James O’Reilly burst through a gap up int the 22 but couldn’t find a support player. Tasman counterattacked and Hunt made a similar break only to be tackled by Kem Hauiti-Parapara.

With eight minutes to play, had Wellington’s winning chance come and gone?

Tasman fullback David Havili missed a long-range penalty and the Lions ran it back and threw caution to the wind. They knocked on and Tasman eventually had the final say with Jordan’s match-sealer a minute from time.