Alcock leads Harbour to upset win

9.30pm

NORTH HARBOUR 15 WELLINGTON 3

North Harbour revelled in the abysmal conditions to haul themselves from the foot of the NPC first division rugby standings with a 15-3 upset of Wellington at Westpac Stadium tonight.

Winless after the first three rounds, North Harbour played smarter wet weather rugby in a match marred by persistent rain and a cold southerly wind.

Harbour scored a try in each half, put in a solid effort up front to earn 63 percent of possession, and were well directed by halfback Chad Alcock and first five-eighth Nick Evans.

Alcock, the South African former Sharks Super 12 player, capped a man of the match performance with the matchwinning try on the fulltime hooter.

He was unlucky not to score the opening try in the ninth minute after a chip and chase which was ruled out by the video referee.

Harbour's performance was all the more meritorious as they were without suspended captain and No 8 Ron Cribb.

The visitors led 8-3 at halftime after left wing Rudy Wulf's blindside try in the 14th minute, and Wellington struggled to string any phases together.

The closest they came to scoring a try was four minutes from fulltime when fullback Christian Cullen dived for a chargedown which just beat him over the dead ball line.

The loss was Wellington's second from four games and will likely see them drop out of the top-four.

Scores:-

North Harbour 15 (Rudy Wulf, Chad Alcock tries; Nick Evans pen, con)

Wellington 3 (David Holwell pen)

Halftime: 8-3.

- NZPA