By CHRIS RATTUE
Waikato survived a bizarre penalty try ruling from referee Gary Wise to beat Otago 39-27 at Carisbrook last night.
The result snuffed out Otago's NPC semifinals prospects and put Waikato firmly in the hunt, if they can survive a player eligibility investigation.
Otago were also embroiled in the eligibility problems
with the southerners deciding not to play first five-eighths Ashley Barron, because they were unsure that the former Southlander's international clearance was in order.
Wise's decision came in the 74th minute, when he awarded the penalty try after Steven Bates' high tackle on Glen Horton metres from the Waikato tryline.
That cut Waikato's lead to 34-27.
There was plenty of cover defence as Horton made his bid for the line, and the fullback was not certain to score which meant a penalty try should not have been awarded.
But Waikato hit back with a late try to wing Sosene Anesi, one of the match's stars who finished with three touchdowns.
Waikato had far too much enterprise for Otago, whose season is going from bad to worse, and were also helped by a top goalkicking display from David Hill.
His only miss came on fulltime, when he ran out of time to kick a conversion after the ball fell over twice.
Otago's only significant burst of energy came early in the second half when they trailed just 20-24.
But Waikato got back in to their stride and drew away.
A scrum move created a try to Keith Lowen, who bumped off No.8 Grant Webb. And a Hill penalty gave the visitors a significant 34-20 advantage, heading into the final 10 minutes.
Waikato led 24-10 at halftime, with the home side's only try coming through a Seilala Mapusua intercept.
The centre read the situation perfectly, bursting on to a short Jono Gibbes pass as Waikato tried to launch a counter attack.
But apart from that, it was a familiar Otago story with cumbersome attacks, and poor tactical kicking.
Even prop Carl Hoeft came into play on that one, taking the ball at first receiver and hoofing it down field, leading to Anesi's first try.
The right wing scored on half-time, latching on to a chip kick from fullback Isaac Boss as the Waikato backline swung into action.
Among those to impress was new Waikato first five-eighths Stephen Donald.
Waikato (S. Anesi 3, K. Lowen, S. Donald tries; D.Hill 4 con, 2 pen)
Otago (S. Mapusua, T. Harding tries, penalty try; M. Berquist 3 con, 2 pen)
NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two | Division Three
