North Otago registered a morale boosting win over Meads Cup champion Mid Canterbury in a Heartland Championship warm up game in Oamaru on Saturday.
North Otago coach Barry Stevens was mostly smiling after the game, which followed a heavy loss to Southland the previous week.
''I was impressed with the commitment,'' Stevens said.
''There was real urgency right throughout the game and the players showed that they were confident with the systems that we've introduced.
''Our defence was good. We got off the line quickly and put real pressure on the opposition and the overall commitment was good.''
The North Otago backs - many on debut at this level - showed potential. Halfback Cameron Keenan, in particular, impressed with his quickness and variation.
Two new faces from Dunedin rugby also stood out. Southern centre Nathan Cargo made the most of his opportunities, and Harbour winger Sala Halaleva looked to be a player with real pace and potential.
In the forwards, John Kelly impressed at No8, lock Maene Mapusaga was active in the tight and loose, and hooker Sam Sturgess shone with his all round play and ability to make ground with the ball in hand.
After withstanding Mid Canterbury's offence for the bulk of the first quarter, North Otago opened the scoring when Keenan took a quick tap 5m out and second five eighth Lemi Masoe scored the try.
Three minutes from halftime, Mid Canterbury hit back with a try to winger Matt Thatcher, but North Otago reacted from the kickoff ,when hooker Sam Sturgess breached the defence to set up the breakdown on the 22m.
The ball was moved quickly to the left and Cargo scored a try. A Ben Palmer conversion gave North Otago a 14-5 halftime lead.
The Old Golds extended this to 21-5 in the 57th minute. Mid Canterbury first five eighth Murray Williams stabbed a kick through but the ball was gathered by North Otago flanker Filipo Veamatahau, and Cargo was gifted a second try.
Two minutes from fulltime, Mid Canterbury fullback Andrew Letham scored an unconverted try.
Williams was the key decision maker for Mid Canterbury, but against North Otago's defence, he was given few opportunities to show his wares.
No8 Jon Dampney was strangely quiet, Adam Ross took some good ball and fellow lock Eric Duff produced his usual solid performance.
The Otago Spirit had a tight tussle with Canterbury before losing 22-10 in a pre season game in Pleasant Point on Saturday.
Canterbury took a hard earned 10-5 lead into the break, but added 12 points in the second half to secure the win.
The match will give Spirit coach Duncan McEwan something to think about as he decides on his final squad for the national championship.
By Terry O'Neill.
Pre-season
The scores
North Otago 21
Nathan Cargo 2, Lemi Masoe tries; Ben Palmer 3 con
Mid Canterbury 10
Matt Thatcher, Andrew Letham tries
Halftime: North Otago 14-5.
