Rugby: Thirteen lucky as Northland break drought

By Wynne Gray

Northland 13

Wellington 9

Two seasons of exasperation finally turned to gold last night as Northland won an NPC match --their lucky 13th in division one after earning promotion at the end of 1997.

Since that day of euphoria, nine games last year and three this season have all gone the same way for the cambridge blues until, appropriately at their Whangarei headquarters, they hung on to beat Wellington 13-9.

After another difficult start to the season where Northland seemed to be betrayed by lady luck, some pieces of fortune finally came their way.

Jason Spice's high crude tackle on Justin Collins had him sent off nine minutes from time and the Northlanders were able to settle and defend their narrow lead.

David Holwell began the scoring against his old province with a penalty in the sixth minute but that was the only first-half profit for Wellington.

They should have scored near the break when Northland lost prop Tim Knight, somewhat dubiously, to the sinbin for kneeing in the tackle.

Even though Wellington looked as though they must stretch the defence from several tap penalties, Northland held and scrambled to the interval without any further points concession.

Round those pieces of action Northland had two penalties from Hayden Taylor and a glorious try from the loose forward Mathew Webber.

Wellington could only blame themselves. They were penalised once after being caught trying to run a quick lineout throw out of their 22 and then Holwell missed touch from a 5m lineout.

Way downfield Jason Hita started the counter-attack, carried on by midfield back Robbie Johnson to a ruck for quick ball and a change of direction to set Norm Berryman cantering into open spaces.

The burly centre weaved and found Hita again, captain Glenn Taylor took out the last couple of defenders and Webber had a free run to the line for a 13-3 lead.

The action just short of halftime affected Northland, as not only did they lose Knight to the bin they also lost Hita to injury.

Some of Northland's backline fluency also disappeared but former Springbok Joggie Viljoen remained a dynamic force at halfback in his debut game for Northland. His booming pass, choice of attack and direction was a crucial component in Northland's fingertip victory.

Two Holwell penalties inside seven minutes after the break raised the anxiety levels in the crowd with Wellington suddenly only four points adrift.

But tenacious defence and Spice's late reckless act finally helped deliver Northland the precious win they have dreamed about for too long.

Northland 13: (M Webber, try; H Taylor, 2 pen, con).

Wellington 9: (D Holwell 3 pen). HT: 13-3.