Prop’s drop goal stunner

North Otago captain and prop Ralph Darling stood behind a ruck taking a breather just before halftime in Saturday’s Meads Cup rugby final in Oamaru.

Suddenly the ball was in his hands. Quick as a flash, Darling took aim at the posts instead of carting it up, and unleashed a deadly accurate drop kick.

Sure enough it sailed over, sending the hosts to the break with a spring in their steps on the way to a 33-19 victory over Whanganui in the final.

North Otago coach Jason Forrest told Sky Sport: ‘‘That’s Ralph, he plays off the cuff. He’s an amazing player.’’

This wasn’t Darling’s first rodeo, having nailed a drop kick to lead his Old Boys side to victory over Athletic in the 2008 Citizens Shield club final.

Darling is the side’s vicecaptain but was promoted when regular skipper Sam Sturgess was ruled out.

North Otago celebrated their third Meads Cup but it was a while in the making, nine years since their most recent title.

Early tries to lock Charles Elton and wings Adam Johnson and Howard Packman saw North Otago take control.

In Greymouth, South Canterbury hoisted the other piece of Heartland Championship silverware when they toppled West Coast 23-19 in the Lochore Cup decider.

In strong wind and driving rain, the visitors staved off a late charge from their hosts to cling on for victory at John Sturgeon

Park in the competition for the fifth to eighth placed sides.

West Coast outscored South Canterbury three tries to two, but a perfect 5/5 kicking display from New Zealand Heartland XV rep Willie Wright was crucial.

South Canterbury went into the final under a cloud after the union was hit with a suspended $500 fine for a low-level breach of the player eligibility regulations.

A New Zealand Rugby panel heard that South Canterbury brought the breach to the attention of NZR as soon as they were aware of the issue and immediately stood the player down.