NZ Bartercard Cup - Week 4 review and results

With the split round for Round 4 of New Zealand's Bartercard Cup competition only 6 teams were in action over the weekend.

Saturday afternoon in Auckland saw the 2003 champions the Canterbury Bulls come up against the Otahuhu Ellerslie side. The Bulls had an emphatic win over Mt Albert a week earlier and whether or not complacency set in I'm not sure as by the 20th minute, the Bulls had conceded five tries and trailed by 26 points.

For the Otahuhu side prop Sinave Faitala led a committed Otahuhu forward assault, half back Thomas Leuluai kicked cleverly, and the outside backs capitalised on a back-peddling and confused Canterbury defence.

The Bulls had the better of the game for the last hour, and started to revert back to what they know. Interchange forwards Chris Newton and Taylor Pelenise caused Otahuhu most trouble, Newton by adding two tries to the three he scored against Mount Albert, and Pelenise for the quality and force of his hit-ups. The forwards started going forward, and the wingers backed up, looking for work. One thing they can take out of the match is they kept the Otahuhu Ellerslie side scoreless in the second half.

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Canterbury Bulls Ericsson No.2, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off Otahuhu Ellerslie 32 Tries: P. Atken, D. Fisiahi, P. Fisiahi (2), J. Tavaga, S. Faitala Goals: R. Johnson (4) defeated Canterbury Bulls 30 Tries: R. Martin, A. Auimatagi, S. Wallace, C. Newton (2) Goals: M. Clarkson (5)

Halftime 32 - 12 to Otahuhu/Ellerslie

Sunday afternoon out at Papakura the previously unbeaten Counties Manakau Jets took on the Mt Albert side that was hurting from a heavy defeat just one week earlier at the hands of the Bulls. They certainly redeemed themselves as they launched an assault on the home side.

To their credit the Jets held in there until the final whistle against a side determined to get back to their winning form. The first loss of the season for the Counties Manakau side has them now 4th on the competition ladder.

Counties Manukau Jets vs Mt Albert Lions Massey Park Papakura, Auckland Mt Albert Lions 42 Tries: H. Aonga, R. Baxter, J. Noble, S. Pouha, A. Swann (2), A. Bauer (2) Goals: S. Buckingham (2), J. Noble (3) defeated Counties Manukau Jets 20 Tries: I. Hagiloa, A. Herangi, S. Fa'alogo, A. Tusani Goals: A. Herangi (2)

Halftime Score : 22 - 8 To Mt Albert Lions

The second home game in a row for the North Harbour Tigers had them taking on the competition leaders, Marist Richmond Brothers at Albany on Saturday afternoon. In the closest match of the round, the Tigers managed to hold off the strong attack by the Marist side to net a win and move to third on the table.

Marist following their tough battle last weekend against the Stallions were out-muscled on the field, and have suffered their first defeat in 2004. With Rota kicking instead of Perenara, it may just have cost them in the end. Both teams now have next week off due to the split round, and regroup for Round 5 in 2 weeks time.

North Harbour Tigers vs Marist Richmond Brothers North Harbour Stadium, Auckland North Harbour Tigers 26 Tries: K. Johnson, D. Vasau, D. Leuila-Briggs, A. Aukafolau Goals: J. Trott (5) defeated Marist Richmond Brothers 18 Tries: W. Letili, G. Rota, M. Taulapapa (2) Goal: G. Rota

Halftime Score : 12 - 8 To North Harbour Tigers

Round 4 (split round) at a glance:

Saturday 8 May 2004:

Otahuhu Ellerslie 32 - Canterbury Bulls 30

Sunday 9 May 2004:

Mt Albert Lions 42 - Counties Manukau Jets 20

North Harbour Tigers 26 - Marist Richmond Brothers 18