Loss blow to Southland’s playoff hopes

SOUTHLAND’S prospects of reaching the Championship playoffs suffered a serious blow in Fielding yesterday.

Manawatu registered its first win of the Mitre 10 Cup season, edging Southland 2412.

The Stags desperately needed to win to stay in touch with the top four.

The loss has left it stranded in fifth with 11 points and facing a mustwin match against an inform Otago side in Invercargill on Friday.

Southland looked dangerous early on but it was Manawatu which struck first.

Stags midfielder Ray Nu’u made a nice carry, beating a couple of tacklers.

But he lost the ball forward as he was freeing his arms to make the offload.

Winger Te Rangatira Waitokia took off up the field and midfielder James Tofa carried it into the Southland 22.

Halfback Bryn Wilson got to the breakdown quickly and flicked the ball to lock Liam Mitchell, who charged through a hole to score close to the posts.

Southland responded through halfback Logan Crowley. He nipped down the flank, broke a tackle and stepped inside Nehe MilnerSkudder to dot down.

MilnerSkudder did not have to wait long for redemption.

He flicked a short pass to Waitokia who ran through and cut in and crashed over.

The home team stretched its lead when right winger Nigel Ah Wong scored in the corner following a patient build up.

Southland trailed 177 at the break and realistically needed to score next.

The Stags battered away searching for a way past the home side’s defence. Southland has been creative on offence this season but it has really struggled to finish opportunities.

Having tried their luck out wide, the Stags finally got over the line through a lineout drive.

Hooker Greg PleasantsTate got himself in the boot of the maul and just had to flop over.

Winger Isaac Te Tamaki almost added another.

He burst through from close distance but lost the ball reaching out for the line.

The visiting side was piling on the pressure and enjoying lengthy stints inside Manawatu’s half.

But it went into the last 10 minutes trailing by five points and needing something special.

Instead, replacement loose forward Nathan Va’atausili had the ball stripped by Wyness, one of the smaller blokes of the field.

He rolled out of the back of the breakdown, stood up and ran in from 50m to score.

It happened so quickly even the camera operator had trouble keeping up with the play.

On Saturday, Tasman beat Wellington 193 in Porirua, North Harbour defeated Northland 248 in Whangarei and Auckland retained its place at the top of Premiership with a 3110 win against Waikato at Eden Park.

Bay Of Plenty downed Hawkes Bay 2217 at Tauranga Domain, and Counties Manukau edged Taranaki 3127 at Inglewood.