Rugby: Southland hang on to Log o' Wood

Matt Saunders of Southland is tackled. Photo / Getty Images

Southland 22
Counties Manukau 14

Southland retained the Ranfurly Shield when they ground Counties Manukaau down 22-14 in Invercargill tonight.

Both sides struggled to gain traction in setting a platform as they struggled to retain the ball in steady rain.

Counties, seeking their first Shield victory, were unable to overturn the worst shield record of any union in the national championship and the second worst in New Zealand.

Since formation in 1955, Counties have unsuccessfully challenged for the shield 23 times. Wanganui are worst with 25 failed attempts.

The challengers led twice with penalties by first five-eighth Tasesa Lavea but each time, Southland levelled through the boot of James Wilson.

Southland, enjoying a glut of possession finally broke the Counties defence when lock Josh Bekhuis crashed over for a converted try after picking the ball up from the back of a ruck.

The conversion gave Southland a 13-6 lead at halftime.

Counties suffered a body blow to their hopes when Lavea was forced to leave the field with injury early in the second half.

Wilson was in fine kicking form and punished Counties with an early second half penalty.

Counties replied with their own penalty through Lavea's replacement James Semple but Wilson stretched the lead out again to 10 points with another pot in the 60th minute.

Counties finally got their game going and strung 24 phases together which took them well inside the Southland 22m before cracking the defence with a try by Grant Henson.

Wilson denied Counties a bonus point for losing by seven points or less with another well taken penalty in the 76th minute.

Southland 22 (Josh Bekhuis try; James Wilson 5 pen, con) Counties Manukau 14 (Mark Selwyn try; Tasesa Lavea 2 pen, James Semple pen). Halftime: 13-6.

- NZPA