This is my last column for Nexus as I’m joining the big, wide world as a sports journalist in Pukekohe later this month.  So here we go with a live re-cap on the Waikato vs Counties Manakau on August 29.

It took 36 minutes for Waikato to score their first try and until the second half to take control over Counties Manakau.

For much of the first spell progress was made with Romana Graham, a towering figure in the line outs, and the scrum dominating throughout. However, this was undone at times by several turnovers, a lack of finish and a disjointed backline attack.

Counties had the first try midway through the first spell when Alex Bradley took the ball forward, only to see Waikato leave the base of the ruck unattended. The home side pounced, with former Chief Tasesa Lavea sending Chiefs winger Lelia Masaga away on a wild goose chase.

Waikato skipper Liam Messam looked to save the day for Waikato when he snatched an intercept, but instead of clearing he flung the ball back into his own in-goal and Lavea won the race for the touchdown.

It was 8-6 to Counties when Stephen Donald decided to take things into his own hands with a powerful 20-metre solo surge to score four minutes before the half-time break and a 13-8 half-time lead.

The Waikato forwards completely wore Counties down in the second spell. Waikato should have pulled away to win by more but they let slip a couple of chances and came close on a few others. Their only second-half tries went to 20-point contributor Callum Bruce and wing Dwayne Sweeney. Full time score was 30-8 to the visiting side i.e. Waikato! I’m quite sure the Mooloo men were extremely happy to get a win and lift them off the bottom of the table, and are currently placed 11 out of 14 after round five.

Waikato - 30 (Callum Bruce, Stephen Donald, Dwayne Sweeney tries; Bruce 3 penalties, 3 conversions) Counties-Manukau - 8 (Tasesa Lavea try; Tim Nanai-Williams penalty). Halftime: 13-8. 

In sport lately: 

Waikato would have played Hawkes Bay by the time you read this, at Waikato Stadium. Hopefully the boys moved further up the table, but somehow I don’t like our chances. Round seven (September 11) sees Waikato plays Tasman in Blenheim.  

Also in the next few weeks; the All Blacks are playing the Springboks at Waikato Stadium on the 12th September. Tickets for this have already sold out (all 31,557 of them!), so I hope you have yours. Gates open at 5.30pm, with kick off at 7.35pm. Fans are encouraged to get there early and take in the spectacular pre-match entertainment which gets under way at 7.10pm. 

The All Blacks are holding a public training today at the Stadium if you wish to attend. 

Details are: 
Date: Monday 7 September, 2009 
Time: 11.00am – 12.30pm  
Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton 
 
Players will then go around the perimeter of Waikato Stadium signing autographs.