“Last-minute assault ends 30-year drought”

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“Last-minute assault ends 30-year drought”

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Description: These images were taken by Susan Clark for the Evening Standard, the first of which was published on the 26th April 1990 with the caption: “Taranaki’s Henry Katene charges into the arms of Manawatu's Anthony Farmer (left) in yester day's match at Memorial Park. Manawatu won 22-18.

Campbell Mitchell wrote the following article to accompany the image: “Manawatu blew away a longstanding rugby league record when it sensationally beat Tarаnaki for the first time since 1960 at Memorial Park yesterday.

Manawatu had gone into the game as the underdog, playing in a lower division than Taranaki, but with superior fitness it outlasted the opposition in the telling final minutes to win 22-18.

When Taranaki's Tony Holswich scored 10 minutes from fulltime to extend his team's lead to 18-12 it looked all over for Manawatu.

The home side had played well, coming back from a 10-2 deficit to lead 12-10 at halftime. But it looked as though it may have run out of puff against the more experienced Taranaki side after conceding two penalties and a try during the second half to trail 18-12.

Then Manawatu, when Taranaki least expected it, fought back.

Led by forwards Luke Aranga and Anthony Farmer and inspired by a supportive vocal crowd of about 250, Manawatu unearthed the reserve to fight back and with three perfectly executed passes penetrated the Taranaki defence to score.

Halfback Paul Howell kicked the pressure conversion to level the scores with eight minutes left.

Manawatu attacked again and encouraged by a 60m solo run from replacement centre Les Wilson found itself hot on attack just five metres from the Taranaki line.

Taking advantage of Tагаnaki's weary defence, Manawatu spun the ball wide and Dave MacIntosh scored to give it the win.

Taranaki coach Teri Tamati said he thought his team had snuffed out Manawatu after halftime but some slack defense and too many errors on Taranaki's part and an excellent comeback from Manawatu proved him wrong.

Manawatu's advantage lay in its forwards. Its front row of former junior Kiwi Luke Aranga, hooker Haimona Hekenui and Barry Gripp were dominant both in the set play and in the open.

Aranga's performance didn't go unnoticed by New Zealand Maori selector Howie Tamati who named him his player-of-the-day.

New Zealand and junior Kiwi selectors were also watching the game.

Manawatu coach Mike Butler said he was quietly confident of a win going into the game.

"We need to tidy up a few aspects of our game, especially around the rucks, but it was a good start to the season," Butler said.

Manawatu's next game is against the Wellington Emerging players on May 5.

Scorers Manawatu - Bunny Gripp, Haimona Hekenul, Peter Masue, Dave Macintosh tries, Paul Howell 2 con; Paul Howell pen); Taranaki 18, (Tony Holswich 2, Raynor Te Wake tries. Blair Nickson 2 con; Blair Nickson 2 pen)”