Rugby: North Otago cruise past Buller

They may not have the brought up the century again but North Otago continued their impressive form to comfortably beat Buller 44-20 in a Heartland championship rugby match at Oamaru today.

After beating East Coast 116-3 last weekend, North Otago returned to reality with a smaller yet still convincing six try-humbling of Buller.

Buller showed a lot of grit in the early stages to trail only 6-11 after 25 minutes, but two first-half tries to North Otago No 8 Tevita Fifita gave the home side an 18-6 cushion by the interval.

A soft and opportunist try to centre Penijamini Nabainivalu caught North Otago napping after the break before three tries within 10 minutes saw them reinstate their authority on the game thanks to some well-used width by an enterprising backline.

Buller managed to sneak another try just before fulltime thanks to replacement Rory Kennedy.

North Otago centre Faaitu Tuamoheloa and Buller flanker Blair McIlroy were sinbinned for fighting in the 51st minute by referee Ross Barnett.

Fifita also spent the final minutes in the sinbin after ill-discipline at the breakdown.

North Otago 44 (Tevita Fifita 2, Faaitu Tuamoheloa, Josh Collier, Hamish McKenzie, Luke Herden tries; Ben Patston 2 pen, 2 con, Billy Guyton 2 con) Buller 20 (Penijamini Nabainivalu, Rory Kennedy tries; Andrew Stephens 2 pen, con, Ricki Jacobs con). Halftime: 18-6.