Purple patch at the end of the first half was not quite enough to give the Otago Spirit its first victory of the season.
The side did not lose in Palmerston North, drawing 17-all with Manawatu in what was a brutal affair which left both sides exhausted at the final whistle.
Otago scored all its points in the second half of the opening period, with prop Beth Mallard getting over for two tries and flanker Leyhana Van Vugt also dotting down. Fullback Claire Richardson added a conversion.
Coach Tim Belcher said the side failed to start well and was penned back in its own territory in the opening half-hour.
Otago's defence stood reasonably firm during that period, despite the kicking of Black Fern first five-eighth Anna Richards keeping Otago on the back foot.
But eventually Otago got some ball and then managed to get some territory.
Mallard and her tight five team-mates came more into the game and started to wrestle the ball away from a spirited but lightweight Manawatu forward pack.
The visiting side totally dominated the last periods of that first half and knocked up three quick tries.
Belcher said Otago did not want the half to end, as it was on top and beating up the Manawatu forward pack.
But the halt in play allowed Manawatu to regroup and it got more ball in the second half.
It slowly put itself back into the match and with a couple of minutes left, Manawatu scored a try to tie up the game. The conversion, from a reasonably handy position, missed.
Otago reclaimed the ball from the kick-off and pressed the Manawatu line but could not get across.
Mallard had a strong game for Otago and lock Mikayla Smith was a tower of strength.
In the backs, youngster Greer Muir tackled well and never stopped all day.
Otago picked up a few injuries and will have to regroup quickly before it takes on top of the table Auckland in Dunedin, in its last game on Saturday.
The scores
Otago v Manawatu
• Otago 17
Beth Mallard 2, Leyhana Van Vugt tries, Claire Richardson con
• Manawatu 17
• Halftime: Otago 17-7
