Rugby: Otago steal unlikely win

Glenn Dickson. File photo / Getty Images

Otago 30 Counties-Manukau 14

Otago made the most of limited opportunities to steal an unlikely 30-14 win over Counties-Manukau in a national provincial championship rugby match in Dunedin tonight.

Counties-Manukau dominated throughout in terms of possession and territory, but Otago excelled in capitalising on their limited chances.

Coupled with the accurate boot of second five-eighth Glenn Dickson, who was near faultless in contributing 20 points, Otago stole an unlikely two-try win despite being unable to establish any continuity, field position or possession.

Flanker Adam Cathcart opened the scoring in the fourth minute, Counties-Manukau building pressure close to line until Cathcart spotted the gap and dived over.

It took Otago another 10 minutes to finally get their hands on some ball, but they made the most of it.

A telling counterattack triggered by Buxton Popoalii was carried on by Ben Smith, back from All Blacks duties, as Otago ran the ball down the right before halfback Johnny Legg crossed.

Both teams kept the ball in close as the first half progressed, with three penalties from second five-eighth Glenn Dickson giving Otago a 16-8 lead at the break.

Counties-Manukau No 10 Baden Kerr narrowed the halftime deficit with two early penalties, with Dickson sinking one to give Otago a 19-14 lead with 20 minutes to go.

Counties were still controlling possession, and started at last to move the ball wide as they attacked the Otago line.

But the home team defended well, and from an increasingly solid scrum finally established field position long enough for Dickson to sink another penalty and extend their lead to 22-14 after 65 minutes.

Counties-Manukau's night was encapsulated in the 72nd minute, as they ran strongly at the Otago line deep inside the 22.

But their handling let them down, Popoalii pounced on a loose pass, and linked with Smith who sprinted the length of the field to score.

- NZPA