Rugby: Witt's end spares Otago blushes

Air NZ Cup
Otago 22
Counties-Manukau 19

League convert Michael Witt spared Otago blushes and an ignominious end to the season when he kicked a late penalty to clinch victory over wooden spooners Counties-Manukau at Carisbrook last night.

Witt sealed the win when he goaled from 41 metres four minutes from the end, which at least sent the small crowd home with a consolation win. It was hardly a win to savour and it encapsulated Otago's season - as well as possibly signalling the end of Counties-Manukau in provincial rugby's top flight, at least for the foreseeable future.

Otago dominated territory and possession but could not convert that into tries. It was not until the 73rd minute, when captain and flanker Alando Soakai crashed over under the posts, that Otago breached a defence which had conceded 47 tries in its previous 12 games.

Counties scored three tries to one and, with more self-belief, they would have claimed their most significant scalp of the season. If this was the side's last game in the premier division for the immediate future, they at least went down with some pride.

Fullback Tim Nanai-Williams is a fine footballer - well worthy of higher honours consideration - and wing Sherwin Stowers was always dangerous.

Otago lacked confidence and cohesion and the bumbling effort was a graphic illustration of a season in which they have been mired near the bottom of the table. Centre Brett Mather and flanker Eben Joubert were Otago's best players and, while Aaron Bancroft, Karne Hesketh and Ryan Shortland all breached the defence at times, Otago have not mastered continuity.

There were golden oldies scrums for the last 15 minutes after Otago lost both starting props, Ben Nolan and Kees Meeuws, to injury, but that, ironically, was the period in which they summoned the desperation to avoid a loss.

Counties led 7-6 at halftime after flanker DJ Forbes scored a try from a quick tap, and were in front 19-12 until eight minutes from the end after No 8 Waka Setitaia and lock Alepini Olosoni scored in the second spell.

Otago 22 (A. Soakai try, M. Witt con, pen, G. Dickson 3 pens), Counties-Manukau 19 (DJ Forbes, W. Setitaia, A. Olosoni tries, T. Nanai-Williams 2 cons).