The Otago Whalers again rued missed opportunities as they were beaten by Canterbury Development in Christchurch on Saturday.
As they did against Southland the previous week, the Whalers started slowly and were on the back foot from the start.
Otago coach Ray Fitiao thought his players competed well with Canterbury when they finally found their rhythm.
''They played some good football,'' Fitiao said.
''I was proud of a lot of guys who put their bodies on the line.''
The Whalers were always up against it, facing one of the bigger sides in the tournament but kept Canterbury Development at bay for large periods.
Isaac Misky made the move to the starting side, taking over for the absent Cory Rigall.
He played a great match and scored a quality try, Fitiao said.
Misky got over the line after a sustained period of pressure, dragging a few players over with him.
Louis Tili gave a man-of-the-match performance, showing vision and creating numerous opportunities for his team-mates.
Canterbury was put under pressure when Tili regularly put boot to ball for effective high balls.
This tactic paid dividends at the end of the first half, when a Tili bomb was fumbled by two Canterbury players and Misky capitalised to score his second try.
The home side got on top in the second half as the Whalers missed opportunities and failed to complete their sets.
The Whalers will again look for a win this weekend when they host the West Coast Chargers at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
- Thomas Heaton
South Island league
The scores
Canterbury Development 32
Andrew Rattray 2, Anaru Donnelly, Angus Anderson, Kolio Vailu'u, Damien Papuni tries; Anderson 4 goals
Otago Whalers 12
Isaac Misky 2 tries; Ben McKerchar 2 goals
Halftime: Canterbury 18-12.
