Rugby: Flutey kicks East Coast to third division win

5:30 PM

East Coast are the NPC third division champions for the second year running after beating North Otago 25-21 in a thrilling game at Oamaru this afternoon.

The defending champions were first on the board with a penalty from Mano Flutey.

North Otago came back with a try from prop Hotili Asi. A good run from Turbines Dean Paterson and Toetu Palamo saw Paterson dot down number two for the home side taking the score to 14-6 at halftime after another Flutey penalty.

The second half opened like the first - a penalty off the boot of Flutey.

North Otago responded with a third try from Toetu Palamo, stretching their lead to 11 points.

East Coast got back in the game with their only try from Jason Bright. Two more penalties from Flutey and they were ahead 22-21 at the start of the last quarter. Suddenly North Otago were struggling to hang on.

Flutey sealed his team's victory pulling out another penalty in the game's final four minutes.