North Otago have learned how to finish games.
The Old Golds hung on late to beat arch rivals South Canterbury 32-29 in the Heartland Championship game in Oamaru on Saturday.
It was their fifth consecutive win and their first over the green and blacks since 2019.
The result was not without a bit of late drama, however.
After first five, Kenta Iemura knocked over a penalty to put the Old Golds in front, South Canterbury secured an attacking lineout in North Otago’s 22m thanks to a lovely 50-22 from halfback William Wright.
However, just as South Canterbury looked to launch one last assault, replacement lock Epineri Logavatu pinched the ball at the lineout and North Otago held on to win.
The midfield combination of Tini Feke and Matia Qiolevu were outstanding in the backline while Mitch Morton and Toni Taufa were workhorses up front.
The match was a back-and-forth encounter from the opening kick-off, both sides scoring an unconverted try in the first 10 minutes.
Iemura kicked a penalty to put his side in front before North Otago scored one of the most bizarre tries you will ever see.
Hot on attack just 5m out, halfback Kippei Taninaka threw a flat ball to Qiolveu, who came charging in but lost the ball backwards.
However, the ball bounced forward into the in-goal and, as South Canterbury tried to gather it, they lost it in the tackle and Savenaca Rabaka scored.
North Otago were in again not long after as Feke threw a delayed short ball to Qiolevu, who burst through the hole and stepped passed the final defender and ran around under the sticks.
He inexplicably bobbled the ball and almost dropped it but regathered to bank the five points.
Tries either side of halftime gave South Canterbury a boost before Qiolevu scored his second in similar fashion to his first.
Just as the sun came out, it appeared to only be shining on South Canterbury as the green and blacks kicked into gear.
Their passes were sticking, they were winning the collision zones, and they ran in two tries to set up the grandstand finish.
The first was earned through consistent pressure in North Otago’s 22m and it was replacement prop Taufa Hala’ufia who crashed over.
Their next score came against the run of play and really swung momentum in their direction.
North Otago were attacking roughly 15m out from the line when an apparent early tackle caused the ball to be spilled.
No whistle from the referee allowed winger Sireli Masi to scoop up the ball and run 80m to score his second try of the match, tying the game up.
Mid Canterbury, North Otago’s opponents in the final round, remained undefeated by beating Poverty Bay 47-43, and Horowhenua-Kapiti kept their Meads Cup hopes alive after their 22-21 win over Wairarapa-Bush.
Buller beat East Coast 21-19, Whanganui downed King Country 29-24, and Thames Valley ran in seven tries to thump West Coast 43-7.
Mid Canterbury (35 points) have guaranteed top spot for the playoffs.
There is set to be a dogfight for the other three Meads Cup places, Whanganui (26), North Otago (26), South Canterbury (24), Thames Valley (24), Wairarapa-Bush (23), Poverty Bay (23) and Horowhenua-Kapiti (21) all in the mix.
Heartland Championship
The scores
North Otago 32
Matia Qiolevu 2, Kippei Taninaka, Savenaca Rabaka tries; Kenta Iemura 3 con, 2 pen.
South Canterbury 29
Sireli Masi 2, Lisiate Folau, Dan Patterson, Taufa Hala’ufia tries; Brayden Dew 2 con.
Halftime: North Otago 22-10.
