8 Aug 2010

Counties Manukau upset Wellington

7:06 pm on 8 August 2010

Counties Manukau have upset Wellington in their provincial rugby championship match, with a 31-25 win at Westpac Stadium.

Counties were in charge of the match right from the start, with two tries held up in the first five minutes of the game before second-five, Reynold Lee-lo, crossed for the visitors in the 12th minute.

Winger Ahsee Tuala scored minutes later to take the score to 14-0, and a series of penalties gave the visitors a 23-3 lead at the half-time break.

While Wellington hit back in the second half with some impressive attack and tries to Hosea Gear and Shaun Treeby, Counties didn't back down and Tuala scored his second try to put the match beyond reach with 15 minutes to play.

Wellington's Charlie Ngatai scored a consolation try in the final minutes to grab a bonus point for the home side.

The win puts Counties at the top of the NPC ladder with Southland, who will play each other next week for the Ranfurly Shield.