The Otago Whalers' 2015 campaign came to a disappointing end with a 52-8 loss to the Tasman Titans in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Titans started the game with an intensity the Whalers could not match, scoring five tries in the first 20 minutes.
The Tasman side was an extremely well drilled unit and took advantage of every gap it could find in Otago's defensive line.
The Whalers were dealt a massive blow when key forward Ian Blake received a match ending knee injury just minutes into the game. With Blake's presence missing, the defensive line was out of sorts.
However, the Whalers began to talk to each other and hooker Brogan Jackson directed his forwards well, tightening up the defensive line.
The Whalers held Tasman out long enough to get chances to attack, turning the tables on the Titans and finding gaps of their own.
Tama Apineru fended his way through the defenders on the left edge to score in the corner. Joe Bywater was unable to add the two points from a difficult sideline attempt.
The Whalers were dealt another massive blow when key playmaker Ben McKerchar received a high shot, resulting in a broken jaw and an overnight stay at Christchurch Hospital.
With McKerchar out, the players had to work extra hard. Jackson again stood up and directed play in the second 20 minute period of the first half.
But Tamsan kept pressing and Otago went into the sheds at half time 30 points behind.
The second half began well for the Whalers. They defended strongly and were able to exploit Tasman with ball in hand.
Vila Apuula was the standout performer, directing the attack, running the ball strongly and setting up plays that put his team mates into space.
Apuula spotted a weakness on the left edge and put Tama Apineru into a one on one contest that he won, crossing over for another try.
Apineru has been the Whalers' leading try scorer this year and his ability to fend his way through defenders has been remarkable.
Tasman struck back, scoring a couple of easy tries in the back end of the game to blow out the scoreline even further.
The scoreline did not reflect the match, but for the Whalers it was another case of them playing well in patches, which has been a frustrating feature of this year's campaign.
Coach Ray Fitiao was disappointed with the lapses in defence but thought that, having lost two key players, his side did well to fight back against a tough Titans unit.
He was impressed with Koben Katipa and Sam Brame's work up front and highlighted Jackson, Apuula, Apineru, and Bywater as players who were dangerous on attack. Fitiao said his side fought hard for each other and played some really good patches of football.
In the other game of the round, Canterbury beat Southland 48-20.
