AT A GLANCE

(Dalton Papalii 2, Caleb Clarke, Rieko Ioane tries; Otere Black 2 con, pen)

(Ash Dixon, Mitch Hunt, Shannon Frizell tries; Hunt 3 con, pen). 22-10.

comfortable winners.

However, the story of the game almost turned out to be a Highlanders comeback.

Mikaele-Tu’u, who narrowly outpointed Sotutu in the battle of the No 8s, sparked it early in the second half with an excellent run and No 10 Hunt, who had a strong night, then spotted a hole in the defensive line to score his first Highlanders try.

Soon afterwards a line break run from Highlanders replacement prop Jeff Thwaites put the Blues under immense pressure and Rieko Ioane was shown a yellow card for offside close to his own line.

Shannon Frizell barged over minutes later and the

Highlanders were suddenly leading 24-22.

However, another dropped ball by Gregory swung the momentum back to the Blues and Dalton Papalii crashed over after the Blues lineout drive.

That put the Blues into the lead by 27-24 and they held on – just.

Clarke had opened the scoring after six minutes.

Big loosehead Alex Hodgman carried strongly into the 22m to create some momentum and when the ball came left Clarke showed his immense power to get through Mikaele-Tu’u and Gregory.

That sparked the Highlanders into life. Using big ball carriers such as

Frizell to run hard lines off Aaron

Smith, the visitors punched some holes up the middle before captain Ash Dixon crashed over.

Barrett then showed his class, putting Gregory under huge pressure with a well weighted kick off his left foot.

Gregory desperately wanted the ball to go across the sideline but it pulled up short and as he

Blues 27

Highlanders 24

HT:

tried to clear it was charged down by Sotutu and Papalii pounced on the loose ball for the try.

An aimless kick by Gregory then sparked a brilliant counterattack by Clarke, who weaved his way through a couple of defenders before setting up Rieko Ioane for the try.