North Otago have fallen short of defending their Heartland Championship title after a shock 23-17 loss to East Coast in Oamaru today.
It was the first time North Otago have lost in two years, marking a momentous day for the Ruatoria-based side who will now travel to Wanganui to playin the final. Wanganui dispatched Mid Canterbury, setting up an all-North Island final.
North Otago squandered many opportunities at crucial stages of the game against East Coast, with poor handling or poor ball retention let them down.
Most notable was when two East Coast players were sinbinned at the same time, leaving 13 players on the field for 10 minutes and giving North Otago an opportune time to score points. But the Old Golds were unable to capitalise as East Coast kept a firm grasp on the ball, playing tight rugby to wind down the clock while North Otago defended and could not come up with any points.
East Coast scored first through exciting fullback Sikeli Vorenasu, who evaded the North Otago defence with blistering pace to dot down for the first of his two tries.
The visitors kept the momentum with a second try to captain Ngarimu Simpkins with a deft in-field kick from Vorenasu, which was converted, to open a 15-0 led.
North Otago were next to strike through powerful centre Faaitu Tuamoheloa after sustained pressure eventually created the gap. First five-eighths Ben Patston was able to add the extras.
Ten minutes later North Otago's explosive wing Whiria Meltzer crossed the line after second five-eighths Luke Herden sucked in two defenders to feed his wing. Patston added the extras to ensure close the gap to 15-14 at the break.
North Otago were unable to carry their momentum after the break with blown opportunities or poor handling.
East Coast and North Otago took turns at taking the lead courtesy of the boots of Patston and East Coast first five-eighths Clayton Kiwara.
But it was East Coast who struck with the all-important try with 14 minutes remaining after fullback Vorenasu scampered down the left-hand touch. He then chipped past North Otago fullback Billy Guyton and displayed his electric pace again to win the race to the ball, putting East Coast out to a six-point lead.
East Coast then repeated their efforts when they had 13 men on the paddock, as they chewed up time on the clock with a bucket-load of possession to take themselves into the final next week.
