Hawkes Bay won the Air New Zealand Cup match 19-10, after leading 16-3 at half-time, and built its win on a rock-solid defence and composure under pressure.
If the visitors could thank defence for the win, while Otago had to blame its attack, or lack of it, for the loss.
The home side had its chances to win the game, but inaccuracies at crucial times and wrong options led to it coming up on the wrong end of the scoreline.
Too many passes were just slightly off target and at this level of rugby, and up against such a committed defence, that crucial second that it took for players to collect the ball cost the home side.
Otago was in the attacking zone twice as much as the visiting side but scored only the one try, with 3min to go, through substitute back Daniel Bowden.
The line breaks could be counted on one hand, as both teams showed they had been carrying out plenty of tackling practice.
The experimental law variations are supposed to encourage running rugby, but from what was on show last night, the IRB drawing board may have to come out again.
Otago gave the ball air only in the second half and then often ran out of numbers on attack at the breakdown.
It was the first win at Carisbrook for Hawkes Bay since 1976, although the side was cynical at times, slowing the ball down at the ruck and maul, which Otago could not combat..
Bowden's try was a tidy effort.
Left winger Ben Smith made a good run down the left and the ball was shifted several times before first five-eighth Chris Noakes ran through a gap and then threw a fine reverse pass to Bowden, who scampered over.
That gave Otago 3min to score again and get a bonus point but it ran out of time, fittingly coughing the ball up through a knock-on.
In the first half the Magpies enjoyed a purple patch from 25min in, scoring 13 points in as many minutes, which was the winning of the game.
Otago had looked good in the first quarter, but managed only three points from an easy penalty by Noakes.
Hawkes Bay slowly grew into its work and managed to get some phases together, and found holes in the Otago defence.
It scored the only try in the first half when, after taking the ball up, first five-eighth Mathew Berquist breached the defence.
From the resulting ruck, winger Zac Guildford ran on to Danny Lee's pass and was too quick for the covering defence.
Earlier, Berquist had nudged over a wobbly drop goal from 42m out.
His penalty goal with 10min left in the match was effectively the nail in the coffin for Otago.
Berquist made a fine return to a ground where he had formerly worn the Otago colours, kicking expertly and putting his forwards on the front foot.
Guildford showed, in the limited amount of time he had the ball why he is so highly regarded, while No 8 George Naoupu was strong on the run.
Hooker Hikawera Elliot was lively round the field, although the Hawkes Bay scrum dropped off in the second half.
Smith had a fine game on the wing for Otago, while Bowden looked good when he came on.
No 8 Steven Setephano made some bruising runs in the first stanza, and prop Keith Cameron had a strong match.
Welsh import Jonathan Spratt played a key role in lifting Taranaki off the base of the table in its 39-21 win over Northland in New Plymouth last night, NZPA reports.
Spratt scored a hat trick of tries and his incisive running and quick passing at centre helped pierce Northland's defence.
