Otago Country snatches trophy at last gasp

OTAGO Country regained the Triseries Trophy and will hold it until next season after a nailbiting 3329 win over Canterbury Country in Christchurch on Saturday.

The teams were locked 1212 at halftime.

Otago Country played freeflowing rugby and looked like it was up for the challenge.

Canterbury Country scrambled well on defence, but the constant pressure took its toll.

Both sides played with structure and looked good with ball in hand. Otago Country scored two firsthalf tries through flanker Max Pennell and midfielder Angus Gibb.

The second half was more open and the ball was given plenty of air. Both sides counterattacked well from deep and found holes in the opposition defence.

Canterbury Country enjoyed more possession, and it began to make it tell as it started to pull away on the scoresheet with some welltaken tries.

Otago Country scored another try through flanker Pennell, his second of the match, and were down by three points with five minutes left on the clock.

Canterbury Country was on its own goal line and was given a penalty. The penalty missed touch, and was collected by Otago Country centre Hayden Todd, who beat five defenders to score the winning try for his side.

The conversion was successful, and the travelling Otago Country side saw the game out for a very welldeserved victory.

Coach Marty Hurring said he could not be prouder of his side after its effort.

Once again both flankers Pennell and Josh Brown were immense. Brown has been dependable all season. He is strong with ball in hand and fantastic on defence.

Prop Ben Millar was hard to stop with ball in hand and was always ready to hit the contact areas. Halfback Ben Maxwell kicked well off the tee and directed play well.