KEY POINTS:
North Otago were too big, too strong and too fast for last season's Lochore Cup winners Poverty Bay in their Heartland rugby championship clash in Gisborne today, winning 31-11.
Poverty Bay battled to the end but were outplayed by a team in which centre Fa'a Tamgheloa, second five-eighth Glenn Dickson and No 8 Joe Mamea were outstanding.
Tries to blindside flanker Viliami Leo, right winger Ekeroma Sefo and first five-eight Jeremy Huia along with two conversions and four penalties to Dickson made it two wins from two for North Otago.
With first use of a strong wind North Otago took control from the kickoff and led 13-0 after 20 minutes but a penalty to skipper and first five Scott Leighton along with a try to fullback Kahu Tamatea closed the gap to five at halftime.
Leighton reduced the deficit to two with another penalty within a minute of the restart but from then on, despite playing into the wind, North Otago dominated possession and territory .
Dickson replied to Leighton's penalty in the 56th minute before Sefo stretched the lead with a try in the corner 11 minutes later. Dickson converted from the touchline it was all North Otago,
Another Dickson penalty was followed by a try to Huia in the last play of the match.
North Otago 31 (Viliami Leo, Ekeroma Sefo, Jeremy Huia tries; Glenn Dickson 4 pen, 2 con) Poverty Bay 11 (Kahu Tamatea try; Scott Leighton 2 pen). Halftime: 13-8.
- NZPA
