Otago had a day to remember followed by a day to forget at the national sevens tournament in Queenstown at the weekend.
The side, drawn in a tough pool, was quick out of the gates and, thanks to some tigerish defence and sound passing, finished top of its pool on the first day.
But yesterday it ran into the big Counties-Manukau team in the championship quarterfinal, losing 22-5.
That led to a match against Hawkes Bay to try to qualify for the Plate final, but it lost 29-7 as it ran out of puff, eventually finishing the tournament in seventh position.
Otago coach Mike Moeahu said he was pleased with the first day but the second day was a big ask as many players were at their first tournament.
Otago beat Auckland 21-12 in its first game on Saturday, with Karne Hesketh, playing halfback, bagging a double.
It then went on the rampage against Buller, winning 43-7, with Paul Grant and Jeremy Cave scoring two tries apiece. In the last game on Saturday, North Harbour scored on the last play to beat Otago 19-17.
Moeahu said yesterday the side struggled to get possession and was ineffective at the breakdown.
Otago was penalised heavily against Counties-Manukau, and failed to have the ball for any length of time.
"The North Island sides really have the advantage as they get to play a lot more tournaments and get the experience of the game.
With our geographical isolation we are always going to struggle.
"But the boys should be proud of the way they played. We were in a hard pool and to come out top of that is good for the guys. A lot of guys here are only in their first or second year and they'll know what it is about now."
Otago was outweighed by most teams but had sufficient speed to compete.
The wet weather yesterday went against Otago as it could not move the ball quickly.
Skipper Grant played well and showed why he is in the New Zealand sevens set-up, while Marshall Suckling ran hard and possessed good speed.
Otago had the satisfaction of being the only South Island side in the top eight, and did better than last year, when it finished ninth.
