Tough for southern sides

Otago had a tough final day at the Freyberg Masters at the Poverty Bay club yesterday.

They were humbled in the early game by a strong Auckland outfit, who won the encounter 4½-½.

That win helped Auckland claim the title. But there was more pain to follow for Otago.

They were whitewashed 5-0 by Hawke’s Bay in their final game.

The only player to pick up any points for Otago on the fInal day of competition was their No 1, Richard Anderson, who secured half a point with a tie against Auckland No 1 Ben Westgate.

Otago finished outside the top 10 with a record of one win, four halves and three losses.

Southland also struggled, finishing in last place with seven losses from eight games.