Otago Hand Harbour a Lesson
Otago showed
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Harbour how the game can be played in a match of contrasts at Carisbrook tonight.
Otago executed their attack and defence with a confidence that the
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Harbour team could not match. They did this while suffering a large deficit of possession and territory.
The match was held in excellent conditions and began with a pattern that was to become familiar. The Otago loose forwards, led superbly by Adam Thompson, made the Harbour ball untidy and slow, but Harbour forced their way upfield through phase play and a long kick. This first foray resulted in two penalties, McAlister converting the second of them. Another long range penalty converted by McAlister, then Otago replied with a try resulting from a rapid attack through the middle, shifted right – eventually finished down the exposed left wing.
And so the first half progressed. The Otago loose forwards secured a strong platform for their backs to rush through and score three tries, interspersed with multiple penalties awarded to
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Harbour. McAlister converted 3 from 6 opportunities in the first half. Ben Afeaki was injured and replaced by the debutant Adrian Smith after only 12 minutes of play.
The second half was a different pattern.
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Harbour achieved significant dominance in all areas except the tryline. Penalty opportunities were not kicked for the 3 points, preferring to seek the elusive try. 35 minutes of constant attacking was broken down repeatedly by excellent Otago defence, forcing errors and some poor options. When Otago did eventually break free, they scored their bonus point try through some tired defence around the fringe of the ruck.
All up, it was another game which
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Harbour could have done better in, with more tactical confidence and composure when executing their plays. Certainly there was enough ball and territory to have pleased any team.
Best on Ground:
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Harbour: Michael Reid; Mike Mayhew; James King
Otago: Adam Thompson; Alando Soakai; Chris Noakes; Karne Hesketh; Ben Smith
