Four-try Waikato hit the top

By CHRIS RATTUE

Waikato powered to the top of the NPC first division, ending previous leaders Otago's unbeaten run in Hamilton last night.

Waikato gave the sort of committed display their coach Ian Foster had predicted, honouring the 100th game of their halfback Rhys Duggan.

The home side scored four tries to zero - a remarkable statistic given Otago's ruck and maul dominance - and enabled them to leap frog Otago by a point in the Air New Zealand-sponsored competition.

While it was celebration time for Duggan, who received a rousing reception from the Waikato crowd as he was replaced late in the game, there were less happy times for his opposite Danny Lee.

Lee was a rough chance to join Waikato when he departed relegated Counties Manukau, but left the Chiefs area to sign with Otago. Two charge downs from his kicks, the second coming when he planted the ball into the face of his No. 8 Sam Harding, cost Otago two tries.

Foster had pinpointed Waikato's defence around the fringes as the key to the match, and so it proved to be with Waikato repeatedly driving the Otago raids back in that area.

It was a supreme defensive display, and meant Otago hardly ever had enough momentum to threaten on the fringes.

Even when they did, Waikato had the answer - right to the final minute when fullback Todd Miller somehow flicked Neil Brew into touch.

Waikato were under more pressure than they should have been with Crichton missing a couple of conversions including one sitter. Willie Walker scored all Otago's points through penalties - many from ruck and maul infringements ruled by Steve Walsh.

After leading 12-6 at halftime, Waikato prevailed through second half tries to prop Deacon Manu and first five-eighths David Hill.

Manu's score in the 50th minute came after a Regan King break, and a clever cameo from Duggan to set the prop towards the line.

And Hill barged through the tackle of Josh Blackie, after Lee's kick had smacked into Harding.

Waikato's halftime lead came thanks to two opportunist tries.

The first came when Crichton, hanging near a ruck, pounced to charge down Lee's kick and Crichton completed the follow up work perfectly, tapping the ball ahead then collecting it for the try as big lock Peter Bowden chased in vain and wing Brad Fleming arrived to late.

It was ironic that Waikato should score in this manner, having failed to breach Otago with their carefully constructed work.

And in the 23rd minute, right wing Matt Priscott got the rewards for chasing a long kick from Duggan - who had led Waikato on to the field - which appeared to be heading for touch, then bounced crazily back in field fooling the final three Otago defenders.

Waikato 27 (Loki Crichton, Matt Priscott, Deacon Manu, David Hill tries; Crichton pen, 2 con) Otago 15 (Willie Walker 5 pen). Halftime: Waikato 12-6.


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