News

Northland close but no cigar

August 15 2008

Otago held out a determined Northland outfit to record their second win in three games in the Air New Zealand Cup, beating the Taniwha 23-18 in Dunedin on Friday.

The first half was evenly contest with the 10-10 scoreline at half-time a fair reward for both teams' efforts.

Northland looked more composed than in their last match against Hawke's Bay which they lost 31-43.

Fly-half David Holwell, who missed last week's match because of a virus, was a vital ingredient in Northland's improvement.

But it was Otago who failed to make the most of their opportunities as former Northlander Daniel Bowden missed two regulation shots at goal in the first 12 minutes.

In the 19th minute, Northland winger Fetu'u Vainikolo showed his wonderful attacking prowess to beat two defenders close to the touchline and score in the corner.

Jared Payne took a wayward clearance from Toby Morland and attacked Lucky Mulipola's wing. Payne stepped past Mulipola as he slipped over and offloaded to Vainikolo who did the rest.

Holwell slotted the conversion from the sideline.

Otago hit back with a try to winger Karne Hesketh, with lock Tom Donnelly handling twice in the movement.

Donnelly made a neat 25 metre break and with Northland stretched for numbers, Otago was able to capitalise on the blindside.

Bowden made a mockery of his earlier misses by converting from wide out.

Holwell and Bowden traded penalty goals before half-time to make it 10-all at the break.

Otago hit the front for the first time with another Bowden penalty, and then Chris Noakes, who replaced him shortly afterwards, added another to pad the lead out after Marty Veale was yellow carded in the 60th minute.

With Northland down to fourteen men, Mulipola struck two minutes later, carrying three defenders with him as his momentum took him over the line on the left.

Noakes stroked the conversion over to make the score 20-10.

Northland came back when Vainikolo got his second try, the powerful runner beating Mulipola on the outside on his way to completing a brilliant individual effort.

Holwell then stepped up to hit another penalty which earned Northland a bonus point for finishing within seven points but with two minutes to go Otago held out for the win.

The scorers:

For Otago:

Tries: Hesketh, Mulipola

Cons: Bowden, Noakes

Pens: Bowden 2, Noakes

For Northland:

Tries: Vainikolo 2

Con: Holwell

Pens: Holwell 2

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 (c), 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 (c), 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