Stags drop the bomb on Harbour
Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:56
Southland really hit their straps in their Air New Zealand Cup match on Saturday to condemn North Harbour to a 43-7 defeat in Invercargill.
The Stags have done their play-off hopes a world of good after producing a spectacular first-half performance that completely blew the visitors apart.
Southland started their rampage as early as the 10th minute when flank Tim Boys scored the opening try of the match, to set the tone for the bullish Stags.
The home side were once again superbly guided by the boot of flyhalf Blair Stewart, whose astute tactical kicking dominated proceedings.
Stewart managed to collect a personal tally of 13 points in the encounter, which lifted him up to second place in the Air New Zealand Cup points scorers table.
Stags skipper Jamie Mackintosh then increased his team's lead with two quickfire tries midway through the first period.
Once again Stewart was heavily involved in the second score, when his well-weighted kick bounced perfectly to elude the Harbour defence, but not his captain, and the prop crashed over for five more points.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when New Zealand Maori Jason Kawau took advantage of a quick turnover to score the try for Southland.
And there was even time for a fifth try in the closing minutes of the opening period, with Stags centre Matt Saunders causing havoc in the Harbour defence with his strong running, which saw him score under the posts.
After Saunders' try, the scoreboard showed the Stags leading by an unbelievable 36-0, which was also the scoreline at the break.
North Harbour resurfaced after the break with renewed defensive vigour, to their credit.
But they had more than a mountain to climb, and ultimately their defensive deficiencies from the first-half cost them dearly.
The visitors were limited to counter-attacking rugby, and they did look threatening at times on the break.
If nothing else, North Harbour can take some heart from the fact that they dominated the first 30 minutes of the second half, holding the Stags scoreless before scoring their first points in the match courtesy of a try by replacement scrumhalf Matt France under the posts.
Flyhalf Jimmy Gopperth converted the consolation try, and suddenly North Harbour were galvanised as they pushed ahead on the attack again.
Harbour looked likely to score a second try close to the end of the match, but the Stags reminded everybody who the day belonged to when lock Daniel Ramsay read the play superbly to intercept a stray pass, and go all the way to score the home side's only try of the second half.
The victory was significant for Southland, who are now very much in play-off contention after a slowish start to their campaign.
It was also their first win over North Harbour in five years.
Scorers:
For Southland:
Tries: Mackintosh 2, Boys, Kawau, Saunders, Ramsay
Cons: Stewart 5
Pen: Stewart
For North Harbour:
Try: France
Con: Gopperth
Teams:
Southland: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Pehi Te Whare, 13 Matt Saunders, 12 Jason Kawau, 11 Mark Wells, 10 Blair Stewart, 9 Scott Cowan, 8 David Hall, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Hoani Macdonald, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Daniel Ramsay, 3 Chris King, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (captain).
Replacements: 16 Matt Holloway, 17 Fai Mika, 18 Dion Bates, 19 Joe Tuineau, 20 Willie Rickards, 21 Robbie Robinson, 22 Dane Shelford/Sonny Rangitoheriri.
North Harbour: 15 Hayden Abercrombie, 14 Jack McPhee, 13 Mike Harris, 12 Jon Elrick, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (captain), 9 Chris Smylie, 8 Viliame Maafu, 7 Malakai Ravulo, 6 Tom Chamberlain, 5 Martin Purdy, 4 Chris Smith, 3
Michael Reid, 2 James Hinchco, 1 James Afoa.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Biddles, 18 Richard Mayhew, 19 Robbie Colhoun, 20 Matt France, 21 Josh York, 22 Jona Tuitoga.
Referee: Garratt Williamson
Television match official: James McPhail
