Rugby: Gloomy times in Otago

Otago 6 Wellington 10

Wellington showed greater composure in difficult conditions to beat Otago in their NPC first-division rugby match at Carisbrook in Dunedin.

It was Otago's second successive NPC loss at home after they were comprehensively outplayed by Waikato last Sunday.

Wellington started the match with the same intensity they showed when beating Canterbury in the first round and opened the scoring in the 10th minute through fullback Shannon Paku after Otago conceded a turnover.

To their credit, Otago fought back gamely and secured plenty of good possession but their backline could not produce a try.

Otago wing Brendan Laney missed two penalty attempts in the first half and Wellington led 7-0 at the break. David Holwell's second successful kick, a penalty, 12 minutes into the second half increased the margin, while Otago were restricted to just two Brendan Laney penalties.

Halfback Jason Spice and Holwell formed an effective inside-back combination for Wellington, while second five-eighths Paul Steinmetz made some intelligent breaks. Captain Norm Hewitt did some good work in the tight and lock Inoke Afeaki had a strong game.

Otago fullback James Jowsey and halfback Donovan Hall did their best in a struggling backline, captain Kelvin Middleton led by example from the blindside flank, and No 8 Paul Miller made some rampaging runs.

- NZPA