Posted on Sunday, July 26th, 2026
Game Recap: Tuatara vs Airs
Result: Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (109) defeat Taranaki Airs (85)
With the Airs once again missing their main facilitator, they’d have to replicate the Tuatara’s elite ball movement in order to upset the 1st seed hopefuls. The first quarter would go the way of Tuatara as they’d make some big shots from range. Bairstow would also go perfect from the field, managing to go 7/7 in the first half. The home side would find themselves up 11 heading into the second quarter. After then finding themselves up 17 points, the Tuatara would relax and let Taane Samuel and the Airs back into the match. They’d close the gap to single digits before the Tuatara would extend it just before the half. Staring down a 9 point deficit heading into the locker room, the 3rd quarter they’d start firing. They’d close the gap to just 1 after a couple of Taane Samuel triples. But the Tuatara would call a timeout, calm themselves and then proceed to go on a 15-0 run. That run would shift the momentum of the game ultimately, as the Airs would try to fight back but to no avail. The scoreboard would show a Tuatara win of 24, but it wouldn’t show the challenge the Airs would give the Tuatara as the home side would
Leading Players:
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara: Sean Bairstow (27p, 8r, 4a), Dylan Wilkie (16p, 5r), Tom Vodanovich (15p, 7r, 2a)
Taranaki Airs: Taane Samuel (26p, 6r, 3a), James Moors (19p, 10r, 2a), Zavier Adam (8p, 3r, 6a)
Rapid League game:
Result: Jadcup Auckland Tuatara (53) defeat Taranaki Airs (38)
The Tuatara from tip off would look like the red-hot side that had dominated all season. They made all the right decisions on offence and pressured the Airs on defence. They’d find themselves up 16-5 after the first quarter. The Airs would own the second quarter however. They’d start making shots with Taane Samuel leading the way in scoring. They’d reduce the 11 point deficit to just 6 as they’d win the second quarter 14-9. The third quarter would be much like the first. The Airs would be held to just 5 points again as the Tuatara would create a lead the Airs would be unable to come back from.
Leading Players:
Jadcup Auckland Tuatara: Mattie Dalton (14p, 4r), KC Ioane (12p, 4r, 3a), Josh Leger (7p, 10r, 3a)
Taranaki Airs: Taane Samuel (15p, 4r), Riley Tuuta (11p, 2a), Quintin Bailey (7p)