Back rower Raymond Faitala-Mariner scored a second half double to help the Vulcans to a big 48-28 win over the Mounties in the New South Wales Cup match at Mount Smart Stadium. Photo: Photosport
A potent second half surge drove the injury-ravaged Auckland Vulcans to a convincing 48-28 victory over the Mounties in todays New South Wales Cup clash at Mount Smart Stadium.
Fielding just three players from the Vodafone Warriors NRL squad and only two with NRL experience, the Vulcans led 18-12 at halftime before bounding out to a telling 36-12 advantage in the third quarter.
In quick succession Tangi Ropati, David Bhana and Raymond Faitala-Mariner all scored to have the Vulcans seemingly in control.
While they allowed the Mounties to score three tries of their own they still finished well to win by 20 points, moving to 29 points on the table and remaining firmly locked in at sixth.
Assured of playing in the finals, the Vulcans finish their regular season campaign against North Sydney next weekend.
Match details:
At Mount Smart Stadium, Aucklland
Auckland Vulcans 48 (Raymond Faitala-Mariner 2, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Herman Retzlaff, Nathaniel Peteru, Tangi Ropati, Viliami Lolohea, David Bhana tries; Sio Siua Taukeiaho 7 conversions; Agnatius Paasi conversion).
Mounties 28 (Matt Allwood 2, Joe Picker, Sam Mataora, Sam Williams tries; Sam Williams 4 conversions).
Halftime: 18-12 Vulcans.
Referee: Daniel Caddy.
Vulcans: Tangi Ropati; Viliami Lolohea, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Agnatius Paasi, Atelea Nafetalai; Steve Waetford, Pita Godinet; Herman Retzlaff, Aaron Nootai, Charlie Gubb; Murray Iti, Raymond Faitala-Mariner; David Bhana. Interchange: Siliva Havili, Nathaniel Peteru, Albert Vete, Esera Esera.
A potent second half surge drove the injury-ravaged Auckland Vulcans to a convincing 48-28 victory over the Mounties in todays New South Wales Cup clash at Mount Smart Stadium.
Fielding just three players from the Vodafone Warriors NRL squad and only two with NRL experience, the Vulcans led 18-12 at halftime before bounding out to a telling 36-12 advantage in the third quarter.
In quick succession Tangi Ropati, David Bhana and Raymond Faitala-Mariner all scored to have the Vulcans seemingly in control.
While they allowed the Mounties to score three tries of their own they still finished well to win by 20 points, moving to 29 points on the table and remaining firmly locked in at sixth.
Assured of playing in the finals, the Vulcans finish their regular season campaign against North Sydney next weekend.
Match details:
At Mount Smart Stadium, Aucklland
Auckland Vulcans 48 (Raymond Faitala-Mariner 2, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Herman Retzlaff, Nathaniel Peteru, Tangi Ropati, Viliami Lolohea, David Bhana tries; Sio Siua Taukeiaho 7 conversions; Agnatius Paasi conversion).
Mounties 28 (Matt Allwood 2, Joe Picker, Sam Mataora, Sam Williams tries; Sam Williams 4 conversions).
Halftime: 18-12 Vulcans.
Referee: Daniel Caddy.
Vulcans: Tangi Ropati; Viliami Lolohea, Sio Siua Taukeiaho, Agnatius Paasi, Atelea Nafetalai; Steve Waetford, Pita Godinet; Herman Retzlaff, Aaron Nootai, Charlie Gubb; Murray Iti, Raymond Faitala-Mariner; David Bhana. Interchange: Siliva Havili, Nathaniel Peteru, Albert Vete, Esera Esera.
