Otago edge hapless Northland
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:19
Otago added to the misery of the hapless Northland team when they edged then 23-18 in their Air New Zealand Cup Round Three encounter at Carisbrook on Friday.
While the game proved again that there will be no easy games in the Air NZ Cup this season, it is not the kind of result the Taniwha would have wanted in a week in which they heard that Northland was to be cut from the competition at the end of the season.
If they wanted to make a statement about their merits as a top flight team, victory over Otago at the House of Pain would have served them well.
However, a lack of composure and confidence at key times ultimately counted against Northland at Carisbrook.
Not even a strong showing from first five-eight David Holwell and fellow veteran Justin Collins was enough to drag the doomed Taniwha to victory.
Both teams gave a willing performance in front of a small crowd of diehard fans, with the home team outlasting the visitors.
The scoreline would have been greater had Daniel Bowden not left his kicking boots at home.
Otago enjoyed the majority of possession early on, pressure which saw Northland forced into pulling off a try-saving tackle on Glen Horton in the third tackle as he sought to dive over in the corner.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 17th minute when Fetu'u Vainikolo, a star for the Highlanders at Carisbrook, crossed for Northland. Holwell converted from the sideline.
Otago finally got on the board eight minutes later, with Karne Hesketh crossing for a try. Bowden converted to level matters.
Holwell regained the lead soon after with a penalty.
Otago's composure improved as the first half entered its final 10 minutes, with the southerners making several telling attacks.
Northland's response was to stop the attack any way possible, giving away a penalty under the posts with Bowden kicked to level the scores again.
Otago opened the scoring after the break, with Northland infringing and Bowden claiming the lead for Otago with his second successful penalty.
Holwell had the chance to level the scores from 45 metres out, but his penalty attempt fell short.
Northland's cause was further hindered when Northland lock Marty Veale was sin-binned after ref Lyndon Bray had enough of the cynical infringing in the 59th minute.
Replacement first five-eight Chris Noakes landed the penalty.
The loss of Veale stretched Northland to the limit, with the southerners continually getting over the advantage to keep their opponents on the back foot.
And the pressure resulted in wing Lucky Mulipola barging his way through two defenders to score in the 64th minute. Noakes converted from the sideline for an 11-point lead.
But Northland weren't done, with Vainikolo adding to his value on the player market with a stunning solo effort, sparked by fellow wing Rene Ranger in Northland's 22m. Holwell was unable to convert from out wide.
With two minutes remaining it was Otago's turn to be reduced to 14-men, with Horton sin-binned for dissent. Holwell landed the long-range penalty to close the gap to just five points and gain a bonus point.
Scorers:
For Otago:
Tries: Hesketh, Mulipola
Cons: Bowden, Noakes
Pens: Bowden 2, Noakes
For Northland:
Tries: Vainikolo 2
Con: Holwell
Pens: Holwell 2
Yellow cards: Marty Veale (Northland, 59 - repeated infringements), Glen Horton (Otago, 78 - dissent)
Teams:
Otago: 15 Glen Horton, 14 Lucky Mulipola, 13 Brett Mather, 12 Aaron Bancroft, 11 Karne Hesketh, 10 Daniel Bowden, 9 Toby Morland, 8 Steven Setephano, 7 Craig Newby (captain), 6 Seko Qaraniqio, 5 Tom
Donnelly, 4 Ross Kennedy, 3 Ben Nolan, 2 Jason MacDonald, 1 Keith Cameron.
Replacements: 16 Peter Mirrielees, 17 Sam Hibbard/Jed Vercoe, 18 Paul Grant, 19 Eben Joubert, 20 Sean Romans, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Ben Smith.
Northland: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Aiden Dewes, 12 Leo Taliu, 11 Fetu Vainikolo, 10 David Holwell/Deek Carpenterr, 9 James Rodley, 8 John Cocker, 7 Joel McKenty, 6 Justin Collins (captain), 5 Marty Veale, 4 Daniel Goodwin, 3 Bronson Murray, 2 Francis Smith, 1 Tony Coughlan.
Replacements: 16 Tyler Ashworth, 17 Justin Davies, 18 Roy Griffin, 19 Blair Urlich, 20 Kaino Kaino, 21 Derek Carpenter/Mike Davis, 22 Damien Fakafanua.
Referee: Lyndon Bray
TMO: Shane McDermott
