McIntyre's two drop goals lift Canterbury

10.00pm

CANTERBURY 18 NORTH HARBOUR 10

Canterbury moved into third place in the national first division rugby championship with an 18-10 win over North Harbour at Albany tonight.

With Southland to play Taranaki tomorrow to complete the eighth round, Otago lead the competition with 27 points following their 26-8 win over Wellington last night.

Waikato are second with 25 points after earning a bonus point in their 33-12 win over Bay of Plenty today, Canterbury have 24 and Otago 23.

Southland, with 20, points will be fighting to win with a bonus point tomorrow which would see them with 25 points before the final round next week.

Though North Harbour put up a brave show in front of their own crowd, they played catch-up after halfback Jamie Nutbrown scored Canterbury's first try in the 18th minute.

First five-eighth Cameron McIntrye, starting the game instead of Andrew Mehrtens, converted the try and kicked a timely dropped goal in the last piece of play of the first half to give his team a 10-0 cushion.

Second five-eighth Charlie Hore scored Canterbury's second try following a counter-attack when North Harbour lost the ball on attack.

Nick Evans kicked a penalty goal for Harbour but McIntrye regained the points margin with his second dropped goal.

Midfield back Anthony Tuitavaki bust Canterbury's defence with a powerful burst and winger Rudi Wulf finished the move for Harbour's only try.

North Harbour's Troy Flavell had a fine all round game and could be considered for the World Cup by the All Blacks selectors if lock Ali Williams, who has been nursing a fracture in his foot for nearly two weeks, is ruled out next week.

His North Harbour captain Ron Cribb could face disciplinary action for stomping in the match.

Canterbury 18 (Jamie Nutbrown, Charlie Hore tries; Cameron McIntyre 2 dropped goals, con); North Harbour 10 (Rudi Wulf try; Nick Evans pen, con). Halftime: 10-0.

- NZPA

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