North Otago Vs Thames Valley
Heavy downpours in Te Aroha made for some pretty wet conditions, but it was the home side who set the pace early in the match.
It took less than a minute for Thames Valley to hit the lead, when first five Todd Doolan ran in for a try under the posts. Not long after the restart, a loose carry from North Otago lead to a dropped ball being scooped up by the Swamp Foxes near halfway. The ball quickly made it wide to winger Fletcher Morgan who ran it in to make it two tries inside the opening three minutes.
Despite the fast start from the home side, North Otago managed to get themselves back into the game and into the right area of the field. Numerous attacks at the Thames Valley line turned to nothing, as the Thames Valley defence held strong. Thames Valley were penalised on multiple occasions, but North Otago weren't able to capitalise. Although possession and territory favoured the victors, it was Thames Valley who would score next. A penalty right on halftime extending the lead to 17-0.
North Otago second five Tini Feke sparked North Otago into life early in the second half. A pick and go through a gap resulted in a 30m run towards the line, with a desperate tackle stopping him less than a metre from the posts. A quick tap penalty from North Otago kept them hot on attack, before Feke eventually crossed the line for their first points.
Greg Dyer closed the gap further with a penalty 20 minutes into the second half, before the gap was reduced to just two points moments later. A loose pass from Thames Valley was batted back in-field to stop the ball from going into touch, but it popped up for halfback Jake Matthews who ran in a 60m try. Dyer added the conversion from out wide to make the score 17-15 to Thames Valley.
A strong second half was undone by North Otago when the ball was let go just outside their 22m line, Thames Valley swooping on it and getting it wide. A kick towards the tryline resulted in Morgan grabbing his second try of the match and securing the 24-15 win.
North Otago 15 (Tini Feke, Jake Matthews tries; Greg Dyer con, pen)
Thames Valley 24 (Fletcher Morgan 2, Todd Doolan tries; Morgan 3 con, pen)
