Buller Rugby News
North Otago wins with last-minute drop goal
Mon, 12 Sep 2011 Ben Patston
North Otago retained its unbeaten record in a tense, exciting encounter against Buller at Victoria Square on Saturday. The game was decided in the last 30 seconds, with North Otago grabbing an 11-8 win to remain at the top of the Heartland Championship table with two rounds remaining.
Buller dominated much of the first 79 minutes before North Otago first five Ben Patston kicked the ugliest drop goal one is ever likely to see to snatch the victory. Buller took the game to North Otago and produced a resolute defence.
Pene Nabainivalu and William Saukuru were a formidable pairing in midfield and the pair had a great contest with Luke Herden and Faaitu Tuamoheloa. Herden had his best game of the season, with powerhouse running and the ability to set up counterattacks.
North Otago's pace out wide was nullified by Buller's relentless cover defence. Although the North Otago back three of Lemi Masoe, Billy Guyton and Whiria Meltzer appeared to have the line open on occasions, there was always one more Buller defender to beat.Halfback Hamish McKenzie was often under a lot of pressure as the North Otago scrum faltered, and as a result No 8 Tevita Fifita was too often called upon to tidy up. Taua Limuloa and Eric Duff at least ensured North Otago controlled the lineouts.
Buller produced the best pack North Otago has faced. Phil Rossiter and Luke Brownlee have few peers in Heartland rugby, while No 8 Lee Nelmes also did his job well. Brownlee, playing his 131st consecutive game for Buller, was straight into his gumboots and off to milk his herd after the game.
Buller decided to play with the advantage of the breeze in the first half but it was North Otago which scored first. From a lineout on the Buller 22m, North Otago set up a rolling maul and McKenzie swooped on the openside to score beside the posts. However, Patston's conversion attempt was a shocker.
Five minutes later, Buller scored from a counter-attack. Patston kicked deep but Buller broke back to halfway with fullback Tema Faifua and Nabainivalu bringing the ball back. On the 10m line, second five Saukuru took an inside ball to race 30m to score. Buller missed four penalty attempts in the first half before first five Phil Gibson found the posts to give the home side an 8-5 halftime lead.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Patston levelled the scores with a penalty and then the two sides slogged it out for the next 24 minutes. Finally, North Otago resorted to the pick and go and drove inside the Buller 22m. From a scrum, Patston somehow got the ball to trickle over the bar.
Wanganui moved into second place in the Heartland Championship, two points behind North Otago, with a 76-8 demolition of Horowhenua-Kapiti. West Coast came from behind to beat King Country 36-18, Mid Canterbury beat South Canterbury 34-22, Poverty Bay pipped Wairarapa-Bush 23-21, and East Coast beat Thames Valley 31-26.
THE SCORES: Heartland Championship • North Otago 11 Hamish McKenzie try; Ben Patston pen, drop goal • Buller 8 William Saukuru try; Philip Gibson pen • Halftime: Buller 8-5.
