Clubs prepare for new competitions
duced probably their best display of the season against Waikato’s most successful club.
Southern’s scrum was dominant and it reaped the rewards when they turned and rolled Old Boys before Zane Costar touched down with five minutes left, the score at 29-24.
Old Boys were hanging on but their lineout stood tall in the closing stages under Southern’s pressure, with Rupeni Tamani particularly strong in the air.
Southern led 10-0 thanks to Adams’ boot and the first of two intercept scores when fullback McMullen ran 70 metres unopposed before dotting down.
Mungo Mason scored Old Boys’ first try before lighting struck twice, as Adams gathered another loose pass before dashing clear to finish under the posts.
Old Boys responded as halfback Raniera Takarangi scored two tries to level the scores at 17-17 by half-time.
Southern’s first five-eighth Adams missed two penalties before the break and Old Boys went ahead for the first time on the hour through Anthony Coffey, who scored after his opposite winger, Taiapina Watene, had blown a certain try.
Another clinical Old Boys move down the right finished with Tamani strolling over, before Costar’s score made the contest a five-point ball game in the final minutes. But Old Boys just held on and were awaiting Monday’s draw for the premiership and championship fixtures.