Mid Canterbury survived a late flurry from a 14-man Buller to clinch a crucial 30-27 win in the top-four Heartland Championship clash in Ashburton today.
Leading 30-13 with five minutes to go, Mid Canterbury went in search of a bonus-point try but were instead forced to hold on against aspirited Buller fightback.
Mid Canterbury took control early in the first half with a converted try to Ben Kitching and three penalties from Stephan van Gruting to lead 16-3 at the break.
Buller were shut out for most of the opening 40 minutes and their cause wanted helped when Lee Nelmes was sent off after 25 minutes for a dangerous lifting tackle.
Mid Canterbury continued to dominate at the start of the second half as Kitching bagged a double but continued mistakes allowed Buller back in the match and the visitors finally cracked the defence with Scott Neighbours scoring.
Mid Canterbury struck back immediately through Emori Lodokviko and set about finding a fourth try.
It looked as though it was on the cards but an intercept handed possession back to Buller and some individual brilliance from Will Saukuru saw Buller score their second try.
Almost immediately Mid Canterbury were under the pump as Buller swept 90m for Bevan Te Tai to score and the quick conversion from Gibson, his third, gave Buller the chance of a massive come-from-behind win.
Mid Canterbury, however, were able to force the turnover and pump the ball deep into Buller's in-goal where any chance of a 100m try was snuffed out.
Mid Canterbury 30 (Ben Kitching 2, Emori Lodoviko tries; Stephan van Gruting 2 cons, 3 pens; Richard Catherwood con). Buller 27 (William Saukuru, Bevan Te Tai, Scott Neighbours tries; Phil Gibson 3 cons, pen; Andrew Stephens pen). HT: 16-3.
