Otago score four tries to beat Canterbury

7.30pm

UPDATE - Otago beat Canterbury 32-16 in an NPC first division rugby match at Carisbrook in Dunedin tonight.

The Otago tries were scored by Seilala Mapusua (2), Brad Fleming and Tom Willis. Willie Walker added a penalty and three conversions, while Tony Brown dropped a goal.

Canterbury scored tries through Scott Hamiltona and Campbell Johnstone, while Andrew Mehrtens kicked two penalties.

Meanwhile a perfect goalkicking display from fullback Loki Crichton helped Waikato avenge last year's NPC first division rugby final defeat 33-15 over Auckland at Eden Park in Auckland today.

Crichton kicked five out of five - three conversions and two penalty goals - and added a dropped goal for a 15-point haul.

Waikato scored three tries to two but Auckland's goalkicking was woeful, with Brent Ward kicking just two from five and being sacked before halftime.

His replacement Ben Atiga was little better, missing both his attempts at goal.

The result left defending champions Auckland in early danger of missing the playoffs, with just one win from their first four matches.

Auckland dominated the first 25 minutes to lead 10-0, but Waikato hit back with quick tries to lock Keith Robinson and wing Matt Priscott to lead 14-10 at halftime.

A Keith Lowen try after a David Hill intercept increased the lead in the 49th minute to 24-10 and with Crichton slotting goals from everywhere the lead was safe.

Lowen sealed it with a dropped goal four minutes from time.

The win saw Waikato enter the top-four with their third win from four matches.

Scores:-

Waikato 33 (Keith Robinson, Matt Priscott, Keith Lowen tries; Loki Crichton 3 con, 2 pen, dropped goal; Lowen dropped goal) Auckland 15 (Orene Ai'i, Brent Ward tries; Ward con, pen). Halftime: 14-10.

A perfect goalkicking display from fullback Loki Crichton helped Waikato avenge last year's NPC first division rugby final defeat 33-15 over Auckland at Eden Park in Auckland today.

Crichton kicked five out of five - three conversions and two penalty goals - and added a dropped goal for a 15-point haul.

Waikato scored three tries to two but Auckland's goalkicking was woeful, with Brent Ward kicking just two from five and being sacked before halftime.

His replacement Ben Atiga was little better, missing both his attempts at goal.

The result left defending champions Auckland in early danger of missing the playoffs, with just one win from their first four matches.

Auckland dominated the first 25 minutes to lead 10-0, but Waikato hit back with quick tries to lock Keith Robinson and wing Matt Priscott to lead 14-10 at halftime.

A Keith Lowen try after a David Hill intercept increased the lead in the 49th minute to 24-10 and with Crichton slotting goals from everywhere the lead was safe.

Lowen sealed it with a dropped goal four minutes from time.

The win saw Waikato enter the top-four with their third win from four matches.

Scores:-

Waikato 33 (Keith Robinson, Matt Priscott, Keith Lowen tries; Loki Crichton 3 con, 2 pen, dropped goal; Lowen dropped goal) Auckland 15 (Orene Ai'i, Brent Ward tries; Ward con, pen). Halftime: 14-10.

- NZPA

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