Otago Development survived a late surge from North Otago to secure a 29-24 win in their preseason game in Maheno on Saturday.
Earlier, it was the home side who struck first.
North Otago No8 Samu Babiau made a break after spying a gap next to the ruck and after he was brought down just short, the ball was quickly recycled and Cullen Johnstone crashed over from close range.
Then the boys in blue kicked into gear.
A clinical lineout drive brought them back to even and when they turned it over deep in North Otago territory, winger Mac Harris dotted down to have his side in front.
Tempers flared as a scuffle in a ruck resulted in a double yellow to Reuben Palmer and Babiau.
Otago Development were in again just before the half as an overlap allowed Levi Emery, a former Old Gold, to stroll over out wide.
After halftime, Nick Proffit made a break, but when he tried to link up with his support, it was batted down by a North Otago defender.
The ball was then hacked ahead and lock Eric Peita pounced for the Development side’s fourth try.
The flood gates threatened to open when Cam Burgess converted his own try and the visitors had a 29-5 lead.
But, the Old Golds showed some ticker and started to shift momentum in their favour.
It started with Ben McCarthy putting his dancing shoes on and wrong-footing his defender to score.
Livewire halfback Tini Feke then crossed the line with a signature sniping run around the fringe of the ruck.
When Feke completed the double with a long-range intercept try, the North Otago faithful were just starting to get their hopes up.
Bit it was in vain, as Otago Development closed out the win.
For the Old Golds, Wanaka-born loan player Fergus Read showed an immense motor to get through plenty of work in a strong shift.
Former Southland first five Greg Dyer showed his class when he came on in the second half and midfielder Hayden Todd was as solid as ever.
The Otago Development scrum was dominant throughout and halfback Bob Martin directed the troops well.
Representative rugby
The scores
Otago Development 29
Naryan Strickland, Mac Harris, Levi Emery, Eric Peita, Cam Burgess tries; Nick Proffit con, Cam Burgess con.
North Otago 24
Tini Feke 2, Cullen Johnstone, Ben McCarthy tries; Greg Dyer 2 con.
Halftime: Otago Development 15-5.
