Otago hold out determined Bay of Plenty

OTAGO 24 BAY OF PLENTY 20

Otago held on grimly for a 24-20 win over Bay of Plenty in their national provincial first division rugby championship (NPC) match at Carisbrook, Dunedin today.

Both teams scored two tries each but Otago first five-eighth Willie Walker's four penalties and a conversion made the difference.

Otago's only second half points came from two Walker penalties, whereas Bay of Plenty scored a converted try, missed a penalty and dominated the attacks in the last 10 minutes.

Both of Bay of Plenty's tries were scored by winger Anthony Tahana.

Promising openside flanker Josh Blackie and second five-eighth Seilala Mapusua scored for Otago, the pre-competition favourites.

It was the second close loss for Bay of Plenty against a province with a Super 12 base. They went down 26-31 to Canterbury last Sunday.

In another NPC match Southland upset North Harbour 23-21 at Invercargill tonight.

Southland 23 (Paul Miller, Graydon Staniforth, Jimmy Cowan tries; Gavin Williams 2 pen, con), North Harbour 21 ( Nick Evans, Dan Parkinson tries; Evans 3 pen, con). Haltime: 15-11.



- NZPA