The Stags lost their season opener against Waikato 29-21 last Sunday afternoon.
The Stags were blown apart early in the match but did show good composure and tenacity to work their way back into a winning position.
Waikato either found gaps in the Southland defence or punched holes in it as they scored two tries in the first 5 minutes.
Waikato appeared to be cruising to victory at 26-3. On the few occasions Southland did get their hands on the ball in the first 30 minutes, the Waikato defence was quick to shut them down.
Once the Stags did get into an attacking position their left wing Michael Manson was able to score in the old scoreboard corner.
First five-eighth Greg Dyer landed his second penalty goal to reduce the Waikato lead to 26-11 at halftime.
The Stags started the second half best when right wing Viliame Fine scored under the posts. Dyer landed the conversion and then his third penalty to bring the Stags within striking distance at 26-21.
With time almost up the Stags were unlucky to be penalised and Waikato kicked the goal that denied Southland a deserved bonus point.
Blindside flanker Blair Ryall was one of the Stags’ best. Hooker Jacob Payne had a forgetful first 20 minutes before leaving the field with a knee injury. Southland replacement halfback Liam Howley also copped a serious bicep injury.
The Pirates-Old Boys halfback Kaisei Tamura will be a likely replacement for Howley after Tamura excelled for the Southland Development team in their 33-5 win over Southland Country at Limehills on Friday night.
On a slushy and muddy surface at Limehills, Tamura’s passing skills were first class.
Twelve Stags squad members played for the Southland Development team and six players from the Development squad lined up for Country.
Country lock Woody Kirkwood impressed through his work-rate, his Barbarians team-mate Jacob Coghlan also got through plenty of work in the loose forwards for the Development team.
After beating North Otago, Mid Canterbury and Country, the Development team will now face their stiffest test against Otago’s second-tier team in Dunedin on Saturday.
The Southland Under-19 team beat North Otago Development 34-nil, while the Southland Hinds women’s team was beaten 45-5 by Canterbury Development.
The Southland Boys’ High School First XV beat King’s High School 34-19 in their semi-final and will now meet Otago Boys’ High School in the final at the Les George Oval, Otatara, on Saturday.
The winner of that game will then host Crusaders’ region winner Christchurch Boys’ High School in the South Island final the following Saturday.
- By John Langford
