Southland pipped by Waikato

SOUTHLAND sure does love the close ones.

For the second time in as many weeks, just a point separated it from its opponent.

Unlike last week, it came out on the wrong side of that yesterday.

A 75thminute dropped goal from replacement first fiveeighth Fletcher Smith gave Waikato a 109 victory in the

Mitre 10 Cup game in

Invercargill.

Southland had a chance to respond in the final minute, when first fiveeighth Scott Eade’s dropped goal went just to the right of the posts.

It had been a gallant effort form a Southland side that defended bravely.

The wet conditions proved tough to handle for both sides, although Southland adapted better for most of the game.

While Waikato launched several attacks, it was unable to break through in the first hour.

The stoic home defence, combined with a high error rate from the Mooloo men, prevented them turning any of that pressure into points.

Southland held on to the ball better, while also using its boot to good effect.

Greg Dyer and Ray Nu’u regularly looked to kick in behind the defence, often along the ground, turning Waikato around and putting it under pressure.

Dyer gave Southland the lead after 21 minutes, slotting a penalty 25m out after Waikato was caught offside.

Those were the only points of the first half — Southland crucially defending a 5m lineout drive and several phases afterwards to create a knockon and escape just before halftime.

Dyer added another penalty from 45m just after halftime.

Again, Southland had defended a long passage, before Jaye Thompson claimed a breakdown turnover.

Liam Howley kicked high and when Josh Moorby was hit in the air on the chase, Southland was awarded a penalty.

Dyer missed another from virtually the same spot two minutes later.

At that point Waikato began to work its way back into it.

Smith entered the game and immediately made an impact with his kicking.

The Waikato forward pack began holding the ball. It had been hammering at the

Southland line for several phases when Smith’s crosskick put Liam CoombesFabling over in the left corner for Waikato.

Smith made the tough conversion, as Waikato took the lead for the first time with 18 minutes to play.

Eade, who replaced Dyer, put Southland back ahead with nine minutes to go.

But Waikato remained calm. It again kept the ball tight, building pressure in the Southland 22.

When the opportunity arose, Fletcher Smith slotted a wobbly dropped goal to give Waikato the lead.

Southland continued to battle and gave itself a shot to respond, although it came up just short.