Rugby: Otago sneak home against Tasman

Tony Brown in action. Photo / Getty Images

Otago 19 Tasman 16

A 79th minute penalty saw Otago sneak out 19-16 winners over Tasman in a ITM Cup match in Nelson today.

Tasman were backing up after Tuesday's hard-fought 30-28 win over Auckland, while Otago were fresh after the recent polar blast forced the postponement of their midweek game against Manawatu.

Both teams scrabbled for traction early on, the only scoring coming as Tasman captain Andrew Goodman and Otago fullback Glenn Dickson traded penalties.

Tasman winger Robbie Malneek, a pacey and elusive runner, looked threatening with the ball in hand, while the Marshall brothers - James at No 10 and Tom at fullback - also kept the Otago defence busy.

Although territory was shared 50-50, Tasman snared the lion's share of possession but just couldn't find the finish and the two teams went into the break tied at 9-9.

The home team started the second spell brightly, a try disallowed after the final pass to winger Mitchell Scott was ruled forward. Minutes later, Otago fullback Ben Smith bundled Malneek into touch just centimetres short of the line.

But despite the initial domination, Tasman couldn't finish and Otago gradually started to build phases and gain some field position.

The game's first try came after 53 minutes, following an initial break by Otago centre Ben Atiga deep in his own half.

He found Smith on his shoulder, who then unloaded for flying winger Buxton Popoali'i to power down the lefthand touch and score.

Dickson made the conversion, and Otago hit the front 16-9.

Fifteen minutes later, Tasman finally converted field position into points with a quick tap from a scrum penalty. Quick hands moved the ball wide, and replacement lock Riki Hoeata crashed over in the corner.

Goodman made the tricky conversion and the game was tied 16-16 with 13 minutes remaining. However, it wasn't until Tasman prop Fai Mika was ruled offside right in front of the posts with a minute remaining that the Dickson broke the deadlock to secure the win for Otago.

Otago 19 (Buxton Popoali'i try; Glenn Dickson 4 pen, con) Tasman 16 (Riki Hoeata try; Andrew Goodman 3 pen, con). Halftime: 9-9.

- NZPA