The Otago under-19 side yesterday suffered its third loss in the national interprovincial tournament, beaten 3-5-2.5 by North Harbour in Cambridge.
Otago was in command throughout the front nine but weak finishes turned the tables meaning the team will now, at best, play off for seventh and eighth on the final day tomorrow.
No6 Hayden Robertson was the exception to the rule yesterday, coming back from a deficit of three to square his match with Harbour's Jaewoo Son.
No3 Callum Judkins was always in command, winning his match at the expense of Nathan Mayes with two holes to spare.
No5 Joseph Hancock was the only other Otago player to register a win.
No2 Jakob Bleach and No4 Jack Turner looked set to win but were pipped on the home stretch.
Otago will face ''easier'' opponents in the final section play today, coming up against Hawke's Bay in the morning and Manawatu-Whanganui in the afternoon.
But the 2015 champion will have to tighten its game to ensure it does not post its worst placing in the four years it has attended the event.
Canterbury looks assured of making the top playoff spot, having posted convincing wins over highly-rated teams and finishing section play against Eastland and Northland today.
