Taranaki 25
Otago 15
Taranaki piled more misery on a badly faltering Otago with a 25-15 national provincial championship rugby win in Dunedin last night.
They got off to a fast start, craftily played the percentages and clinically converted their chances at Carisbrook to consign Otago to their fifth successive loss.
While Otago remain firmly rooted to the foot of the standings with just one bonus point to show for their exertions, Taranaki's fourth successive victory lifted them from fourth to at least a temporary place atop the points table.
It marked just Taranaki's third victory in Dunedin since 1984 but it was never in doubt as early as the 10th minute as they raced out to a 14-0 lead on the back of two quick tries.
Lacking confidence entering the fixture, Otago looked out of sorts again as they took 20 minutes to work themselves into the contest.
Despite spending long periods on attack they were unable to bread down a highly organised Taranaki defence which enabled the visitors to lead 19-3 at halftime.
Otago stirred to life in the third quarter as livewire prop Halani Aulika and lock Hoani Matenga capped fine team tries to give the home side an outside chance at 15-22 entering the last 20 minutes, Matenga's a particularly worthy effort after flanker Adam Thomson sparked a feisty long-range counter-attack.
But first five-eighth Willie Ripia landed his second penalty with 14min remaining to give Taranaki some breathing space before they unsuccessfully pushed for a bonus-point fourth try.
Taranaki had started in a rush with teenaged fullback Beauden Barrett opening the scoring in just the seventh minute when he ghosted through a hole near the line.
They doubled their advantage barely two minutes later when sloppy passing by the Otago backs saw Kurt Baker toe the ball ahead before Taranaki lock and captain Craig Clarke picked up the soils to crash over.
Otago could manage just one Glenn Dickson penalty in response before camping themselves deep in Taranaki territory only to come up empty-handed and watch on as Taranaki scored their third try to wing Andre Taylor in the 31st minute after Bennett entered the backline to create the overlap by plucking a high, looping pass out of the air.
- NZPA
