Stags struggle in the rain

It was another disappointing defeat for the Southland Stags against North Harbour yesterday.

An impressive defensive effort paved the way for a 35-14 victory to Harbour in the Mitre 10 Cup Championship in Albany.

Both teams were intent on kicking for territory, often aimlessly, in wet conditions, but a Tevita Li double inspired North Harbour to a bonus-point victory to thrust them into semifinal contention.

The defeat is Southland’s sixth from seven matches as the team yet again matched their opponents for long periods, before lapses blew the scores out in the final quarter.

The wet conditions made things difficult, Southland Stags coach Hoani Macdonald said.

‘‘It was the same for both teams, we had a game plan heading in and I guess sometimes we stuck to it and sometimes conditions dictated that we couldn’t execute what we would like,’’ he said.