KEY POINTS:
Waikato 20
Northland 16
Waikato yesterday gave one of their favourite sons, Marty Holah, a winning home farewell with a 20-16 win in Hamilton over Northland in their final round-robin match in the Air New Zealand Cup provincial competition.
But the three-tries-to-one win would hardly have inspired too much confidence, even among the most fervent Mooloo fans, that the side will advance far in the playoffs in defence of the title won last year.
Waikato have finished in a clear fifth position which means they will have to return next Sunday to Napier for a quarter-final clash with fourth-placed Hawke's Bay. The Magpies upset Waikato only last weekend and the struggle Waikato had yesterday against a spirited Northland side suggests a big improvement will be needed if a semifinal spot is to be secured.
Yesterday's result also confirmed Otago in seventh place and an away meeting next weekend against Canterbury after they lost the Ranfurly Shield last night.
Though there was plenty of spirit and movement in yesterday's match, it was not the flowing occasion with which Waikato probably wanted to celebrate Holah's last appearance on his home ground before he moves to Wales.
The first spell was especially scrappy and, after a spate of errors and penalties from referee Jonathon White, Waikato led at the break only 8-3. The spell's only try came right on halftime when No 8 Liam Messam detached from the last of a series of attacking scrums to put wing Roy Kinikinilau across at the corner.
A competitive Northland side, which had to overcome the loss to injury of experienced prop Tony Coughlan and promising five eighths Dan Bowden, took the lead early in the second spell with two David Holwell penalties. They had plenty of success opening up the Waikato defence, firstly through Holwell and then replacement halfback Rhyan Caine, only to miss out on a favourable bounce from chips ahead.
Waikato wrapped up the game when Messam brilliantly ran on to another of Holwell's chip kicks and turned what could have been defensive pressure into a superb solo burst for a try to regain the lead at 15-9. That was followed soon after by Stephen Bates, who formed a strong backrow trio with Messam and Holah, crashing over after replacement lock Jordan Smiler stole lineout ball.
But Northland gained some consolation on fulltime when replacement loose forward John Cocker scored. That was just reward for a fine effort, typified when the good prospect on the wing, Fetu Vainikolo, came back on cover defence to save what looked a certain try by fullback Dwayne Sweeney.
Northland's bonus point meant a share at the most of 10th place, insufficient to make the top eight.
They could reflect on an improved season but with some frustrations. Captain Justin Collins pointed out they had not lost any game by more than eight points but added that was an indication of not converting winning chances.
Waikato 20 (R Kinikinilau, L Messam, S Bates tries, S Donald con, pen) Northland 16 (J Cocker try, D Holwell con, 3 pen). HT: 8-3.
