KEY POINTS:
Southland came from behind to snatch a 20-16 win over a gritty Hawke's Bay in an Air NZ Championship rugby match in Napier today.
The winning try came with seven minutes to go when centre Jason Kawau scored in the right corner to capitalise on a period of sustained pressure in the Hawke's Bay's 22m.
The first half was a dour affair with both sides showing little regard for holding on to the ball.
Sloppy handling saw both teams waste any momentum they had built up and the match degenerated into a midfield battle.
It was left to their kickers to put points on the board.
Hawke's Bay first five eighth Mathew Berquist kicked three penalties while Southland replied with two penalties by their No 10 Blair Stewart.
The match came alive in the second half.
Southland, who dominated territory and possession in the match, took the lead with a try to flanker Tim Boys who beat Danny Lee to the loose ball after the Hawke's Bay halfback's clearance behind a ruck was charged down.
But Hawke's Bay, inspired by blindside flanker Richard Johnson and backs Jason Shoemark and Zac Guildford hit back to regain the lead.
Guildford finished a breakout from defence with a well-timed pop-pass to flanker Karl Lowe who broke four tackles before finally wrestling the ball down for his score. Berquist converted to give Hawke's Bay a 16-13 lead.
Southland regathered themselves to launch one more offensive which ended with Kawau scoring.
Stewart's haul of two penalties and two conversions took his tournament haul to 36 points, making him the leading scorer.
The result gave Southland nine points from three matches and keeps them in the top four with two matches to go in the round.
- NZPA
