Highlanders beat Bulls

The Highlanders scored three tries to beat the Bulls 23-0 and secure their first Super 12 rugby victory of the season in Dunedin tonight.


After a loss and a draw, they beat the Bulls comfortably but butchered a couple of tries that would have earned them a vital bonus point.


Despite a strong midfield pairing of Bryan Habana and Ettienne Botha, Springboks lineout ball winner Victor Matfield and a powerful pack, the hapless Bulls made too many basic errors on a wet Carisbrook surface.


Statistics showed they committed 18 handling errors to the Highlanders' six while they missed 21 tackles.


The home side, well led by hooker Anton Oliver, who featured throughout the game with strong bursts alongside No 8 Paul Miller, led 10-0 after 14 minutes, 15-0 at halftime and finished the game with their third try in the last 12 minutes.


First five-eighth Nick Evans, winger Matt Saunders and replacement forward Filipo Levi scored a try each and fullback Ben Blair kicked two penalties and a conversion.Scores:

Highlanders 23 (Nick Evans, Matt Saunders, Filipo Levi tries; Ben Blair 2 pen, con)
Bulls 0

Halftime: 15-0.

- NZPA