Front-runners fall at final hurdle

South Canterbury 20 North Otago 16

North Otago's unbeaten run through the NPC third division ended dramatically yesterday as outsiders South Canterbury stormed back from a 10-point deficit in the final at Oamaru.

South Canterbury overcame a 6-16 scoreline in the last quarter to claim the title for a third time in the Timaru-based union's history.

The loss mirrored North Otago's stumble in the final to East Coast, also at home, last year.

South Canterbury, down 3-11 at the break, mounted a tremendous comeback in the final quarter, scoring two converted tries - as well as having one disallowed.

Leading the way was composed first five-eighth Ryan Roberts, who used a thumping left boot to eat up territory before scoring the game-winning try with 10 minutes remaining.

Television replays were needed to confirm that he had scored in the pile of bodies.

Lock Andrew Milne was the dominant figure of the lineouts and the South Canterbury front row had the edge on their opponents.

North Otago have now lost three finals in five years and will need to work on their lack of composure under pressure.

Fullback Grant Johnston was again the pick of the North Otago backs, and young first five-eighth Brad Kernahan did an admirable job in place of injured star Simon Porter.

South Canterbury coach Steve Tarrant, in his first year as head coach, said it was an important result for the whole province.

"The guys are feeling pretty bulletproof at the moment. To come down here and win the title is a great achievement," Tarrant said.

"It was probably one of those games that could have gone either way, but we did enough in that last quarter to win."

His North Otago counterpart, Glenn Moore, said he was obviously disappointed at the result.

"We made a lot of the play but just didn't score enough points, particularly in the first half," Moore said.

"As the game wore on we conceded a lot of turnovers and possibly lost sight of where we were trying to play the game.

"South Canterbury deserved to win. It's a great result for their team and for their province."

He said the visitors' performance was a major improvement on their round-robin effort at Oamaru earlier in the season, when North Otago recorded a big win.

South Canterbury 20 (S. Tuliakiono, R. Roberts tries; Roberts 2 pen, 2 con) North Otago 16 (F. Tatafu, R. McCarthy tries; B. Kernahan 2 pen). Halftime: 3-11.

- NZPA