Rays Still Rule in National Final Rematch

Sunday, September 11, 2016
RAYS STILL RULE IN NATIONAL FINAL REMATCH

Tries to George Edwards and Semisi Tyrell down the home stretch gave Counties Manukau Stingrays an encouraging start to their NZRL National Premiership title defence.

In a rematch of last year’s finalists, the reigning champions found themselves under pressure from Canterbury Bulls and ahead by only two points with 10 minutes remaining, before drawing away for a 36-22 victory.

The contest was probably a far better spectacle than their previous meeting last October, when the South Aucklanders comfortably prevailed 41-10.

This time, they built an early 12-0 lead, but allowed the South Islanders back into contention through the middle stages of the game.

Tries to Erwin Sauni and Tevin Arona, both converted by Toi Sepuloni, saw the scores tied 12-12 at half-time, and Matt Sauni put the Bulls ahead 16-12 soon after the restart.

Counties responded with the next two tries, but when hooker Corey Lawrie scored in the corner and Arona converted from the sideline, Canterbury were only 24-22 adrift.

Edwards clinched the result for the Stingrays, when he leapt high above the defence and juggled a crosskick, regathering and falling across the line for his touchdown.

Tyrell gave them a flattering margin soon later, with wing Raymond Talimalie converting all six tries, some from wide out.

Counties Manukau Stingrays 36 (Saipani Aiolupo, Connor Purcell, Gibson Popoalii, King Vuniyayawa, George Edwards & Semisi Tyrell tries; Raymond Talimalie 6 goals) Canterbury Bulls 22 (Erwin Sauni, Tevin Arona, Matt Sauni & Corey Lawrie tries; Toi Sepuloni 2 & Arona goals)

Earlier, Akarana Falcons showed they would be a force in the premiership, overrunning Wellington Orcas 60-26 in their season-opener.

The Aucklanders jumped on the visitors immediately from kick-off, running in tries to Cortez Taulu and Matiu Stone-Dunn for an early 10-point advantage.

Wellington responded through lock Denzil Hokianga, but the Falcons scored the next two tries and by half-time, they were well in control at 32-12.

When centre Semisi Fotu crossed for his second try, Akarana were out to a 48-16 lead midway through the second half.

Ocras half Anthony Utanga provided the individual highlight for the visitors, bringing up his second try of the match with an intercept on his own goal-line and 100m dash to the far end of the field.

Minutes later, Wellington wing Andrew Lamkam also had a try double and the Orcas had closed to 48-26, but that was as close as they got to a comeback.

Prop Eddie Purcell crossed for a try and Stone-Dunn also brought up his second for Akarana, as they extended beyond the half ton.

Eight of Akarana’s 11 tries were converted by teenage half Zae Wallace, who added a chip-and-chase try on half-time for a personal haul of 20 points.

Akarana Falcons 60 (Semisi Fotu 2, Matiu Stone-Dunn 2, Cortez Taulu, Tevita Vea, Henry Dunn, Zae Wallace, Chase Bernard, Kitiona Pasene, Eddie Purcell tries; Wallace 8 goals) Wellington Orcas 26 (Anthony Utanga 2, Andrew Lamkam 2, Denzil Hokianga tries; Himiona Henare 3 goals)

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