Rugby: Southland sneak past Harbour

Fai Mika of Southland in action during the Air New Zealand Cup match between North Harbour and Southland. Photo / Getty Images

The accurate boot of Ben Botica wasn't enough to deny Southland a 24-22 defeat of North Harbour in an even Air NZ Cup rugby tussle at Albany tonight.

North Harbour's losing trot extended to four matches as Southland produced another of the second-half surges that has marked their season, coming from 19-10 down with 20 minutes remaining.

The southerners hit the front for the first time 10 minutes from fulltime through their fourth try, to lock Joe Tuineau, and held on despite a desperate Harbour effort.

Victory with a bonus point carries Southland from fourth to the top of the standings with the remaining fifth-round matches still to be played.

North Harbour may well slump lower than their 12th place before tonight, paying the price for defensive slip-ups that undid much of their good work in other departments.

A standout performer in his first start was first five-eighth Botica, the son of former All Blacks No 10 Frano Botica.

He scored all of North Harbour's points, including their only try in the ninth minute from a 70m intercept, and landed six of seven shots at goal.

He put his team 10-0 up inside 10min before Southland forwards Josh Bekhuis and Jason Rutledge responded with unconverted tries, the latter an excellent team effort off a slick break by first five-eighth James Wilson.

Botica slotted three penalties either side of halftime and with his side evening up the territory battle they lost in the first spell, a second win loomed.

However, the 19-year-old had a clearing kick charged down in a rare mistake, leading to a try to Southland winger Matt Saunders.

Botica then kicked his team five points clear with his fifth penalty but Tuineau's try proved decisive and left the home side gutted as the fulltime siren sounded.

- NZPA