Canterbury charge to the top

Canterbury: Winning run continues

Canterbury all but secured their place in the ITM Cup semis after thumping Northland 56-11 to go top of the Premiership standings.

The defending champions outscored their hosts seven tries to one as they notched up their third victory on the trot.

The writing was on the wall for Northland after the Cantabs established a handy 22-6 lead at half-time, but centre Rene Ranger give the home side some hope of mounting a comeback after touching down after the break.

But touchdowns by Wyatt Crockett, Adam Whitelock, Willi Heinz and Codie Taylor in the final 10 minutes sealed the deal for the visitors.

The scorers:

For Northland:
Tries: Ranger
Pens: Moeke 2

For Canterbury:
Tries: Veainu, Whitelock 2, McNicholl, Crockett, Heinz, Taylor
Cons: Taylor 6Pens: Taylor 3

Canterbury: 15 Johnny McNicholl, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Telusa Veainu, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Nasi Manu,7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock (c), 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Joel Everson, 3 Paea Fa'anunu, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett,
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Andrew Olorenshaw, 18 Luke Katene, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Kolio Hifo, 22 Stephen Gee.

Referee: Sheldon Eden-Whaitiri