Old Golds continue hot streak with win out west

By Hayden Meikle

North Otago uncorked more champagne rugby on their way to a fourth consecutive win in the Heartland Championship on Saturday.

Their defence might need a little polish at times, but there is no doubt their attacking capabilities are impressive and getting better all the time.

The Old Golds scored six tries, including a couple of absolute stunners, as they beat West Coast 38-31 in Greymouth.

It means they are up to fifth, after losing their opening two games of the season, with games to come against Hanan Shield rivals South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury.

North Otago, as they tend to do, made a popping start when star second five Mataitini Feke scored the opening try after a period of sustained attack in the ninth minute.

Coast lock Benny Vauvau responded when he swooped on a looping Kenta Iemura pass to intercept and score.

When winger Malakai Cagi beat a couple of defenders out wide, the home side were up 12-7 and appeared to have regained some momentum.

Ben Paton. PHOTOS: ODT FILES

But, capping a rough week for Coast that included being stripped of 15 points for fielding an ineligible player, things took a turn for the hosts when prop Tyler Kearns was shown a red card for whacking Old Golds opposite Steve Salelea.

North Otago flanker Toni Taufa made them pay when he burst on to a Kippei Taninaka pop pass.

Five minutes later, the little halfback scored a fabulous solo try straight from a lineout, showing all his speed and balance.

Then came a rather chaotic period.

A dominant scrum led to a second for Feke just four minutes before halftime.

That made it 26-12 to the Old Golds, and when Ben McCarthy made a break two minutes later, Taufa ran a great angle and Ben Paton got the try, it was 31-12 and seemingly lights out.

Coast showed plenty of resilience, though.

Vauvau got his second try right on halftime, and Mitch Tapp burst over from a quick tap after the break to make it 31-24 and game on.

Matia Qiolevu.

Matia Qiolevu calmed things down for North Otago when he scored in the 58th minute, and Cameron Burgess — the Dunedin Sharks import — grabbed a consolation converted try for the home side with seven to play.

There is plenty to like about how the Old Golds are tracking.

Still, they need to get better in a couple of areas as they brace for the challenges of the old enemies with a Meads Cup place at stake over the next two weeks.

South Canterbury suffered a second straight loss when they were beaten 41-35 by Poverty Bay on Saturday.

Mid Canterbury extended their lead at the top of the table with a 32-17 win over King Country, Whanganui beat Horowhenua-Kapiti 27-21, Wairarapa-Bush beat Buller 73-27, and Thames Valley smashed East Coast 84-5.