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Southland relieved as tries come

Captain Jamie Mackintosh was relieved when the tries began to come in the second spell as Southland overcame a dogged Ranfurly Shield challenge by Southland in Invercargill on Friday night.

Saturday, 10 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Captain Jamie Mackintosh was relieved when the tries began to come in the second spell as Southland overcame a dogged Ranfurly Shield challenge by Southland in Invercargill on Friday night.

Restricted to one try in the first half, the Stags scored six in the second to eventually win comfortably, 48-3, in their first defence.

But it took longer than expected to wear down a competitive North Otago team which bustled Southland into many mistakes.

"It was very frustrating in the first half," Mackintosh said. "They were slowing down our ball and their tacklers were quite niggly.

"But once the ball carriers started to dominate, and we got good cleanouts and went two or three phases, it was always going to open up. But it was a relief to get two or three tries soon after halftime."

Mackintosh was enthused by the potential of his squad and by the crowd of almost 10,000 on a chilly winter night.

"The last six months down here have been pretty surreal and the crowd tonight reflected that."

North Otago captain Luke Herden was proud of the effort of his players.

"At halftime [10-3] I thought we were a chance but they [Southland] did well in the second spell and we just blew out.

"The boys were really pumped up and that takes a bit out of you as well. We were out on our feet in the last 20 minutes.

"Our boys never gave up and hopefully we can carry that into the Heartland competition and, if we do, we'll be pretty tough to beat. I thought the guys did themselves justice against what was Super 14 forward pack."

Herden was outstanding for Otago at second five-eighth while first five-eighth Ben Patston, No 8 Tevita Fifita and flanker Ross Hay were others to impress.

Southland's next challenge is from Wanganui in Invercargill on July 23.

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