Grammar TEC have bounced back from a narrow one-point loss last week to comfortably beat Manukau Rovers 36-19 away from home today.
 
Three tries at the tail end of the first half put Grammar TEC in a commanding position and a strong defensive effort in the second spell confirmed the result.

Manukau Rovers were their own worst enemies, the home team created countless opportunities but lacked composure which meant those chances more often than not resulted in turn overs.

Young Grammar TEC first five-eighths Harry Plummer opened the scoring, converting an early penalty for the 3-0 lead.

The home team bounced straight back, using their mobile forward pack to gain easy metres around the breakdown before Siosiua Kaifa made a great break down the left hand touch.

Kaifa threw a perfectly timed offload into Sosaia Tuihalanginie who scooted away to dot down under the posts. Calvary Fonoti added the extras for Manukau Rovers to lead 7-3.

It was a lead that didn’t last long. Grammar TEC’s powerful midfielder Kelekolio Hifo barged over from close range for a 10-7 lead midway through the half.

Grammar TEC were in again in the 30th minute after some great defence chased a kick through the line and earned a turn over just 10 metres from the try line.

Halfback Lisati Milo-Harris threw an impressive behind-the-back pass out wide and from there it was simple hands out to Brendan Ward on the wing who went over untouched.

Manukau Rovers looked to have an impressive reply when winger Bobby Motuliki ran a slick line to come in as first receiver off the scrum and sliced through the Grammar TEC defence.

It was a try for all money but the last pass went forward to end the movement.

Grammar TEC didn’t make the same mistakes. Ward went from try scorer to distributor with a neat offload to Sitiveni Ramatalei who went in under the posts, before he nabbed his second.

The visitors went into the half time break leading 29-7.

Manukau Rovers looked a different side in the second half and came out firing.

Sanila Tagi got things underway with a huge bust upfield to put the team in great attacking position. A pin-point cross field kick from Fonoti was collected by Michael Kaivelata who went over for the try. 

It was a combination of pushing passes, and aggressive Grammar TEC defence that meant Manukau Rovers didn’t capitalise on their renewed energy.

Intermittent showers in the second spell saw a slippery ball tricky to hold on to and scrums dominated play.

The game was put beyond doubt with a Michigan Lam try with only minutes to play.

Manukau Rovers did have the last say of the match. After a string of penalties close to the try line, Melani Nanai took a quick tap and went over for a five pointer.

Final score 36-19.