They edged Palmerston North Boys’ 20-19 in the second semifinal of the National First XV Championship top-four finals in Palmerston North yesterday and will play Westlake Boys’ in the final tomorrow.
The visitors showed epic levels of tenacity. They had some good luck as well. The home team blew some opportunities.
But Southland also had a 15-year-old fullback with ice in his veins kicking the goals.
And they made a dream start.
They shovelled the ball wide — somewhat clumsily it has to be said — but when winger Kiseki Fifita grabbed it the sorcery began.
He palmed off the first defender, sold a dummy to the next player up and stepped inside the last in an exhilarating 60m run to the line in the opening minute. Wow. Just wow.
Palmerston North dominated the next 20 minutes, though.
First five Jamie Viljoen got a lovely offload to impressive fullback Ryder Crosswell to score. And blindside Ollie Barham crashed over from close range.
Southland Boys’ had done a lot of defending, but when they got an opportunity to respond they did.
They battered away until Palmerston North ran out of defenders and winger Phoenix McKay was able to cross.
Taylor nailed the conversion to give the visitors a 14-12 lead at halftime.
He extended the lead with a penalty 10 minutes into the second half.
But Palmerston kept the pressure on and Crosswell cut through a gap 15m out to score his second five-pointer.
Southland reclaimed the lead when Taylor landed a second penalty, but they went right back to scrambling on defence.
They had to show a lot of mettle and were rewarded with a date with Westlake Boys’, who edged Tauranga Boys’ 43-40 in the other semifinal.
Top-four finals
The scores
Southland Boys’ 20
Kiseki Fifita, Phoenix McKay tries; Jimmy Taylor 2 con, 2 pen
Palmerston North Boys’ 19
Ryder Crosswell 2, Ollie Barham tries; Jamie Viljoen con, Crosswell con
Halftime: 14-12
