Wellington moved back into semi final contention after scoring six tries against Counties-Manukau in Pukekohe this afternoon.

But the victory was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggests. After last week's miserable performance and defeat to North Harbour, there had obviously been a great deal of straight talking in the Wellington camp. For the first 20 minutes they played with real urgency to build up an ominous 15 points lead. Then familiar failings re-surfaced- poor discipline around the ruck and tackle area , and a perverse reluctance to get the ball to their formidable backs quickly and unfussily.Counties courageously fought back to trail by just one point at the break, took the lead shortly afterwards following the award of a penalty try, and another upset looked to be on the cards.

But Wellington regained their composure and Counties, afflicted by the injuries to Loki Crichton and Koula Tukino, could not raise their game again sufficiently.Wellington scored another four tries to secure the full five points and calm the nerves of their coaches and supporters.

Wellington are still not playing with the consistency and polish that their personnel are capable of. Cullen , Umaga and Lomu were sharper and more involved today, but it is difficult to understand why they persist with the positioning of locks and props in the places where the terrific trio are so lethal.The substitution of skipper Norm Hewitt with 25 minutes remaining may also have been significant, a signal that his style of leadership is going out of fashion.

Counties were hopeful of building upon their magnificent victory of the week before over Waikato, and the way they fought back from that 15 points deficit was admirable, bearing in mind that the average age of their pack is only 23.But they were undermined by those crucial first half injuries and eventually overwhelmed by the superior firepower of their opponents.Joeli Vidiri enjoyed his best game of the season , consistently offering a threat and forcing Wellington into conceding a second half penalty try, and Marsh and Makiri were their usual immaculate selves on the flank of the scrum.A fine spirit has developed in this side and hopefully coach Andrew Talaimanu will reap the rewards of this in 2001.

Tries from Afeaki and Cullen, the latter converted by Holwell, who also added a penalty, gave Wellington a 15-0 lead after 12 minutes.Counties clawed their way back with three Feeney penalties before hooker Akurangi scored a try just before the break. 16-15 at half time.

The second half started with the sensational award by referee Steve Walsh of a penalty try after Vidiri had chipped and chased twice down the right flank before being tackled without the ball whilst in a try-scoring position.Wellington were stung by this and before Counties could consolidate their lead hit back with two further Holwell penalties and tries from Umaga, O'Halloran, and Flutey.So a comfortable margin of victory but still plenty of work to be done to be sure of that semi final place.

Scorers :

Counties -Manukau : 29

Tries : Akurangi, penalty try. Conversions : Feeney . Penalties : Feeney (5).

Wellington : 45

Tries : Umaga (2), Afeaki, Cullen, O'Halloran, Flutey. Conversions : Holwell(3). Penalties : Holwell (3).