Battling high winds, Kia Toa beat Otago University 42-14 with a great display of hard-running league at the Oval on Saturday.
University started brightly with a try to Tuhu Gallagher in the first set, moving the ball with confidence and creating space on the outside, leaving the Tigers shocked to be breached so easily.
Tigers' big man Shane Unahi came roaring back and crashed over for his ninth try of the season, squaring the scores, before playmaker Vila Apuula showed his skill to score a try and kick the goal.
University's Joe Bywater used the wind to his advantage, stealing vital metres with a 40/20, but a pass off the back of the scrum drifted forward.
Apuula took a knee to the thigh that forced him to the sideline for some ice and his leadership was instantly missed, as Jalan Wallace scored for the students.
The Tigers outscored the students five tries to one in the second half, making the most of having the wind at their backs. Unahi took his season try haul into double digits with a crunching run to open the half.
Apuula, back from his knock earlier in the game, took charge, barking orders to his team-mates and creating havoc in and around the students' defensive line.
Thomas Ina, Joseph Wrathall, Dan Flower and Ian Blake all scored for the Tigers as they capitalised on University's mistakes while Apuula kicked five from eight attempts.
University managed one last try through Finn Langdale, after Tyson Ball was stopped a few inches from the line.
Kia Toa trainer Dallas Wade was pleased with how the Tigers were progressing.
‘‘All the boys are starting to commit themselves to training and believing that we are a really good side. We may be the senior citizens of the league but, hey, we're still pulling it off,'' Wade said.
Otago University coach Ray Fitiao said his side made too many mistakes.
‘‘We started well but then made some crucial errors. Dropping off tackles didn't help. Tyson Ball was great today. He made good metres and was unlucky not to get a try under the post right at the end.''
The second game did not go ahead, as the East Coast Eagles defaulted to the South Pacific Raiders.
- Andrew King
