North Otago went from the penthouse to the outhouse in the space of a week.
The North Otago side, coming off a 48-8 demolition of East Coast the previous week, tumbled back from that heavenly sphere to the real world of rugby, when it ran into Wairarapa-Bush on Saturday.
North Otago was its own worst enemy in its crucial fifth-round Heartland game against Wairarapa-Bush as it slumped to a 38-22 loss and dropped from fourth to seventh in the competition, with just three rounds remaining.
North Otago was unable or unwilling to change its tactics against a very strong defensive line which, time after time, repelled North Otago’s predictable style of pick and go.
Too often, the home team attack finished with an almost inevitable turnover, dropped pass or a simple handling error.
The North Otago backs received too few opportunities and a potent three-quarter line-up of centre Shae Tucker and wingers Simon Lilicama and Lemi Masoe was too often ignored.
The odd break close to the forward action by North Otago often came to nothing, as the visiting side’s aggressive approach paid dividends.
Wairarapa Bush had an effective lineout although the scrums were evenly balanced.
North Otago coach Barry Stevens was disappointed with the halftime score which favoured the visitors 28-8.
"I thought that at halftime we probably didn’t deserve to be 20 points down but certainly in the second half, when the pressure came on, we just made too many individual mistakes.
"I think I counted about 22 turnovers which at this level you can’t afford to do and expect to come out on top. It was really disappointing and there’s a lot of soul-searching to be done. The only good thing is that the 80 minutes are over and we get an opportunity to put something back on the paddock and do something right.
"You’re only as good as your last 80 minutes and the good thing is that we have the opportunity to make up for it next week."
Nine minutes into the game, Ika hoisted a high kick inside North Otago territory and as the North Otago defenders stood and watched, Ika gathered the bouncing ball and scored a fine individual try.
Four minutes later, Ika sent second five-eighth Iziq Foa’i cantering across between the posts, for Tim Priest to convert.
Two minutes later, the ball finally found its way to the North Otago three-quarter line and superb interpassing between Tucker and Masoe, after Tucker had stood up Zac Guildford saw the centre dot down, for Josh Casey to convert.
Wairarapa-Bush hit back in the last five minutes of the half.
A long clearing kick from Monaghan led to North Otago fullback Oscar Pamment being tackled on halfway and in fine support play, winger Glen Walters scored for Priest to convert.
A minute from the break, Guildford ambled over from a quick tap penalty.
North Otago started the second half in a more positive frame of mind and from a tap penalty taken by Tucker, prop Ralph Darling sent Filipo Veamatahau in for an unconverted try.
But two minutes later the opposition hit back and rattled on 10 points.
Two minutes from fulltime Casey drifted wide on the 22m line and slipped a pass inside him to Masoe, who scored an easy try.
- Terry O'Neill
N. Otago v Wai Bush
The scores
Wairarapa-Bush 38
John Ika,Iziq Foa’i, Glen Walters, Zac Guilford, Andrew McLean tries; Tim Priest 3 con pen
North Otago 22
Shae Tucker, Filipo Veamatahau, Lemi Masoe tries; Josh Casey 2 con
Halftime: 28-8
