Triple trouble as underdogs go troppo

By WYNNE GRAY

Picking Saturday's NPC treble was worth $52 from the TAB as the form guide went troppo in the latest round of the NPC.

North Harbour began the surprises on Friday night when they ground out victory against competition leaders Canterbury.

However, that reversal offered small change compared with the windfall of Saturday's treble.

Waikato produced a small tremor when they travelled north and battled through to a win against Northland.

Cellar-dwellers Counties Manukau and Southland then delivered the major jolts to the competition.

After scoring two marvellous long-range tries, Counties hung on for their first win of the season, taking out unbeaten Otago 14-11.

"It was nerve-racking in those last few minutes, but I'm really proud of the team. For some of them it is their first NPC win," skipper Danny Lee said.

It was the victory which had just eluded them in previous weeks and the sort of break Counties needed with the relegation rumble reintroduced this season in division one. After drawing 24-all with their main rivals, Southland, a few weeks ago, Counties must have thought their shock win at Pukekohe would ease them away from the bottom of the table.

They began some serious celebrations as they took in coverage of Southland, who had travelled to play champions Wellington.

Ninety minutes later Southland had gazumped Counties with their stunning 13-10 victory, their first away win in division one since 1980 and a result which dropped Bay of Plenty to the back of the field.

Former Wellington flanker Des Tuiavi'i was a star in the loose, while NZ Colt Ashley Barron anchored the victory with his tactical kicking and successful shots at goal.

Coach Leicester Rutledge, who played 113 games for Southland, was in the union's side on that day in 1980 when they beat Canterbury. In a neat twist on Saturday, his son Jason substituted late in the match.

The trail of upsets did not continue yesterday, when Taranaki were too strong for Bay of Plenty.