Rugby: Southern grind out win over Pirates

Southern centre Apelu Alapati's try in the 70th minute helped Southern retain the Jack Hore Memorial Trophy, and bank a valuable bonus point, when it defeated Pirates at Hancock Park.

The game until then was a match of thrust and counter-thrust, with neither side gaining any advantage, and each responsible for costly errors.

Pirates gained momentum through its forwards, and Southern through its backs. But with goal-kicking woes affecting both sides, fortune favoured Southern through its backs, inspired by halfback Robbie Smith and fullback Joe Hill.

Alapati bagged a brace through some good support play. His first try was set up from a superb break and counter-attack from Hill, and his second was from a piece of housework, after first five Ben Patston rushed a wild pass that spilled loose. Alapati scooped on the ball and raced 30m to score and break a 15-15 deadlock.

As the clock wound down, so too did the Pirates pack. Perhaps it was feeling the absence of No 8 Solomon T-Pole, who is due to leave for South Africa with the New Zealand under-20 squad.

The Southern pack, inspired by the high work rate of blindside flanker T.J. Ioane and lock Sam Gibson, began to gain some ascendancy over the final quarter and kept the game safe for last year's semifinalist.

Southern 25 (Apelu Alapati 2, Sam Gibson, Ben Patston tries; Patston con, pen), Pirates 18 (Marshall Suckling, Poamo Aiiloilo tries; Kieran Fowler con, 2 pen). Halftime: 10-10.

 

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