Southland upset Canterbury

SOUTHLAND 32 CANTERBURY 26

Southland not only vaulted out of promotion-relegation danger but skipped into top-four contention with an upset win over Canterbury in today's only first division NPC rugby match.

Winger Mana Harrison scored two of Southland's five tries in the 32-26 victory which gave them a bonus point as well, to the delight of the home fans.

Southland's maximum points from the match moved them into the top four on current standings.

Canterbury's blindside flanker Scott Robertson scored less than two minutes from the start of the match and they led 20-15 at halftime.

But Southland came back with three tries in the second half to Canterbury's two penalty goals by first five-eighth Cameron McIntyre, who started the match ahead of Andrew Mehrtens.

Southland 32 (Mana Harrison 2, Jason Rutledge, Hale T-Pole, Hayden Martine tries; Gavin Williams pen, 2 con)

Canterbury 26 (Scott Robertson, Joe Maddock tries; Cameron McIntyre 4 pen, 2 con).

Halftime: 15-20.

- NZPA

NPC points table