Poverty Bay edged out South Canterbury 19-15 in a messy Heartland Lochore Cup rugby match in Gisborne today.
A massive amount of possession was spilled by each team in a match totally lacking structure and cohesiveness.
Poverty Bay lacked a finishing touch after dominating possession in the first half and spending the vast majority of the time on attack.
South Canterbury led 10-5 at the interval after Scott Norton converted a try to Vai Faieta before landed a penalty.
Poverty Bay upped their intensity after the restart and wing James Warren scored two fine tries to give his side a 19-10 lead after 58 minutes.
South Canterbury struck back when prop Timaru Tafa scored a try to cut the deficit before Poverty Bay held on over the closing quarter.
Poverty Bay 19 (James Warren 2, Puna Latu tries; Scott Leighton 2 con) South Canterbury 15 (Vai Faieta, Timaru Tafu tries; Scott Norton pen, con). Halftime: 5-10.