KEY POINTS:
North Otago ended Buller's unbeaten record in Pool A, making most of their opportunities to come out narrow 22-18 winners in a Heartland rugby match in Wesport today.
Meads Cup Champions North Otago deserved their victory.
Buller turned over too much ball and suffered a couple of unusual defensive lapses which gifted soft tries to North Otago.
Outstanding players for North Otago were Jeremy Te Huia in the backs and Ross Hay in the forwards. For Buller, Jo Yalayala was the best of the forwards in attack while Matthew Bonich had a sound game at fullback.
North Otago 22 (Josh Collier, Mike Mavor, Akeremo Sefo tries; Pale Tuilagi pen, 2 con) Buller 18 (Simon Lloyd, Mitieli Kaloudigiveci tries; Nathan Thompson 2 pen, con). Halftime 17-6.
- NZPA
