Rapid Wrap: Sharks bank two wins

In the opening game of the round in New Plymouth, both Southland and Taranaki entered the contest searching for their first Rapid League win of the season, and it was the Southland Sharks who prevailed, claiming a 45-30 victory over the Taranaki Airs.

It looked promising for the Airs early on, with Luka Vea, Riley Tuuta and Quintin Bailey connecting from deep, but a strong 10-4 run in response from the Sharks took them to a 25-19 half-time lead.

From there, it was the interior presence of Riley Snow and Tautoko Wynyard, plus the all-court skills of Quake Webster, that enabled the Sharks to break their duck.

Snow and Wynyard combined for 20 points and eight rebounds, while Webster added seven assists to go with 10 points. Meanwhile, despite a Rapid season best 17 points from Tuuta, the Airs will visit the Saints next week still chasing that elusive first win.

Taranaki Airs 30 – Riley Tuuta 17pts, Luka Vea 10pts & 6rebs

Southland Sharks 45 – Tautoko Wynyard 12pts, Quake Webster 10pts & 7asts, Riley Snow 8pts & 5rebs, Will Leger 6pts

Then on Saturday, the Sharks made it a successful northern venture with their second away victory of the round. Having beaten Taranaki 48 hours earlier, the Sharks backed that up with a 35-27 victory over the Manawatū Jets in Palmerston North.

The Sharks led 13-12 at quarter-time and, and thanks in large part to Jack Ramage scoring nine first-half points, were 21-17 to the good at the interval.

A Dane Bertinshaw triple and a Riley Snow inside finish extended the Sharks’ lead to double figures, and although Boston Caldwell, the Rapid League’s leading scorer this season, took his tally into double figures, the Sharks were able to maintain control through the closing minutes.

Manawatū Jets 27 – Boston Caldwell 13pts, Hamza Zahran 7pts & 6rebs

Southland Sharks 35 – Jack Ramage 12pts, Tautoko Wynyard 6pts, Riley Snow 6pts, Will Leger 5pts & 7rebs