In an excitingly open and close fought game in Whangarei this evening , Northland effectively ended Taranaki's last hopes of a semi final placing.

But they had to fight every step of the way and home supporters were on the edges of their seats as the visitors fought back from a 17 points half time deficit to claim their bonus point.

Indeed, Taranaki will consider themselves a little unlucky.They dominated for long periods , their forwards producing quick ruck ball to allow their backs to stretch the Northland defence on numerous occasions.In Manu Samoa test winger Lome Fa'atau they possessed the most dangerous back on he field. He scored one superb first half try and threatened to score another in the second half to snatch the victory for his side. If there is a quicker rugby player anywhere in the world, I would like to see him.

Despite the disruptions caused to their back row by the suspension of Samiu Vahafolau, this was one area of the Northland performance that stood out.Brett Waaka, standing in at no8, had an outstanding game , including two first half tries, and stalwart Matt Webber slotted in effortlessly on the blindside.Joggie Viljoen got his backline moving very well, allowing Norm Berryman the sort of freedom he thrives upon and coaxing a compelling performance out of the player who is coming to the end of his New Zealand career before moving to France.Glenn Taylor, on his 30th birthday, will have enjoyed the grit his side showed in the face of the anticipated Taranaki forward onslaught.

Northland took the lead with a Hayden Taylor penalty, but it was Taranaki who were in the ascendant in the first quarter. Fa'atau's try and Lilley's conversion gave the visitors a lead which they looked capable of exending. But as the game entered the second quarter, Northland found their feet and swamped Taranaki with four tries to claim the bonus point.Waaka got the first and third, Webber the second and wing Jason Hita the fourth, at a time when forwards and backs were combining well to make the most of their possession. Northland led comfortably at half time, 27-10.

Incredibly, they did not score again. Taranaki clawed their way back with a second try, scored by Mepi Faoagali, two Lilley penalties and a conversion.As they crept closer to the Northland total, the excitement and tension grew, much of the play end to end, helter-skelter stuff.Northland just had enough in hand to get home, but there was very little in it.

Scorers :

Northland : 27

Tries : Waaka (2), Webber, Hita. Conversions : Taylor (2). Penalty : Taylor.

Taranaki : 23

Tries : Fa'atau, Faoagali. Conversions : Lilley (2). Penalties : Lilley (3).