Rugby: Counties return home empty handed again

Counties Manukau veteran Grant Henson gets the ball away. Photo / Getty Images

The Southland Ranfurly Shield reign is under way after they survived a late Counties Manukau onslaught in Invercargill last night.

This match would rank as a minor epic and added another chapter to Counties Manukau's long list of shield misfortunes, a run which involves failing to lift the log in all 24 attempts.

So there will be no dancing in the streets of Pukekohe and Waiuku, but the challengers did give it a tremendous crack in the second half of the ITM Cup cross division match, played in heavy rain at Rugby Park Stadium.

Trailing by 10 points, the Steelers launched a series of assaults on the Southland line in the final quarter which found stout defence from the new shield holders. Southland did finally crack when replacement hooker Grant Henson, the 35-year-old veteran, ploughed over near the posts, only for James Semple to hit an upright with his conversion attempt.

Southland quickly countered with a penalty from James Wilson, who landed six out of seven in a match-winning goalkicking performance.

Southland prevailed by repeatedly kicking down field, and producing a mighty defensive effort when the challengers got their forward grunt in order. Their lone try arrived a couple of minutes before halftime, but it wasn't a smooth passage. After hammering away near the Counties Manukau line, lock Josh Bekhuis plunged over but referee Glen Jackson baulked at awarding the points and called on the video referee, wanting to know if there was good reason not to give the try.

Replays appeared to show Counties Manukau arms between the ball and the ground but the try was given and Southland took a 13-6 lead into the break.

Given the conditions, Southland employed the better tactics in the first half, repeatedly kicking out of their danger zone. Their lineout held a clear edge, and they were prepared to burrow forward whereas Counties Manukau were less secure in possession.

Wilson, the drop goal hero of the shield victory over Canterbury, and Tasesa Lavea traded penalties early in the half, salvos which helped wind up the tension as the game tried to find shape and the players came to grips with the tricky conditions.

Counties Manukau captain Jamie Chipman said "We knew we were in with a shot [at halftime] ... Southland showed a lot of character to defend us."

Southland 22

Try: J. Bekhuis
Con: J. Wilson
Pens: Wilson (5)

Counties M 14

Try: G. Henson
Pens: T. Lavea (2), J. Semple
Halftime: 13-6