North Otago overwhelm West Coast

North Otago scored 10 tries to thrash West Coast 60-6 in their NPC third division rugby match at Centennial Park in Oamaru today.

While playing into a stiff first-half breeze, the North Otago pack controlled the ball well by using close-in runners.

Centre Fepikou Tatafu opened the scoring with a try in the 11th minute before first five-eighth Simon Porter scored one himself soon after following a skilful chip, chase and regather.

West Coast captain Regan Dixon landed two penalties to keep his side in the hunt.

Winger Ofa Latu then scored the first of his two tries before the break, before blockbusting prop Hotili Asi decided to get in on the action.

Asi scored two tries in as many minutes and later completed his hat-trick midway through the second-half.

After leading 29-6 at the break, North Otago pinned the hapless West Coast in their own territory for much of the second spell.

West Coast gave away several costly penalties as North Otago attempted to make the strengthening wind behind them.

After holding the home team for the first 10 minutes, West Coast succumbed to concede a series of tries.

North Otago raised their half-century up with Latu's second try, while wing Pila Fifita rounded several tacklers to score a brilliant late individual try to rub West Coast's noses in it.

North Otago 60 (Hotili Asi 3, Ofa Latu 2, Luke Herden, Fepikou Tatafu, Simon Porter, Ryan McCarthy, Pila Fifita tries; Porter 5 con)

West Coast 6 (Regan Dixon 2 pen). Halftime: 29-6.

- OAMARU MAIL