Rugby: Southland win thriller

5:00 PM

SOUTHLAND 26 COUNTIES-MANUKAU 24

Southland took out their first division one win since 1998 with a thrilling victory over Counties-Manukau in Invercargill today.

Counties outscored Southland three tries to one, but the accurate kicking of Southland first-five David Hill saw his side squeak home at the final whistle.

Penalties dominated the first twenty minutes of play, with Hill landing three and Blair Feeney of Counties one, taking the score to 9-3 in favour of the southerners.

Counties made up the deficit with a try from replacement winger Salesi Moimoi, and followed this up with another from fullback Loki Crichton just before half-time to lead 17-12.

Not to be outdone Southland winger Alex Telea ran in a try moments before the break, to tie it up at 17 all.

Twenty minutes into the second half Hill reopened the scoring for Southland with another penalty.

Then a superb pass from Counties lock Hare Makiri sent flanker Glen Marsh over the try-line to snatch a 24-20 advantage with 15 minutes remaining.

But Counties gave away two crucial penalties in the final minutes allowing Southlander Hill to kick his side to victory and crack 100 NPC points on the way.