12 v 06 
Manawatu secured just their third win of the season with a 12-6 victory over Taranaki in Palmerston North on Saturday night.
It was Old Timer’s Day at FMG Stadium and poor overhead conditions ensured the match would live up to the tough, physical and grinding encounters seen so frequently in the 85 previous games between the two teams.The howling winds and heavy rain ensured there would be no vintage rugby, however, as both sides let attacking opportunities literally slip through their fingers.
Instead it was defence that secured the spoils for Manawatu, who left FMG Stadium victorious for the third time this season.Taranaki paid the price for some ill discipline at the breakdown area close to their own line on a number of occasions as Manawatu first five-eighths Jade Te Rure’s indifferent start eventually came well with the match-winning penalty.
The result is a disappointing one for Taranaki, whose solitary point allowed them to inch one point clear of fellow Premiership strugglers Waikato.Both sides went into the match tied for fifth in their respective divisions. Manawatu knew a bonus point victory would see them level with Hawke’s Bay in fourth spot on the Championship ladder. For Taranaki, the spoils of victory would virtually seal their spot in the Premiership for another season.
Bitter conditions in Palmerston North meant Manawatu had a significant wind advantage behind them in the opening half. First five-eighths Jade Te Rure looked to capitalise on that advantage but failed on two attempts in the opening eight minutes.Despite a healthy wind advantage in the first half, Manawatu were unable to convert opportunities into points as they held a 6-3 half-time lead through the boot of Jade Te Rure.The former New Zealand Under-20 first five-eighths missed his opening two shots before converting his next two, bookending a penalty from Taranaki centre Andre Taylor in the process.
Taranaki No.8 Blade Thomson’s night took a tough blow when an attempted box kick was intercepted by the No.8 in an area he will have wished didn’t make contact with whatsoever.Taylor missed a penalty for the visitors but used the wind superbly with a second attempt minutes later to put the match back on level terms with just over a quarter of the match remaining.Two straight Te Rure penalties ensured the few hosts and former players went home satisfied with the knowledge their team is still in the hunt for the Championship semi-finals.
Manawatu will need to win at least one of their final two matches against Northland and Tasman to secure a spot in the final four.For Taranaki their match against Waikato on October 12 could shape as an incredibly important one for the context of their season, but they will have to focus on an encounter with Tasman next Sunday first.
Manawatu 12 (Jade Te Rure 4 pen)
Taranaki 6 (Andre Taylor 2 pen)
HT: 6-3
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