Otago starts ITM Cup with an impressive win over North Harbour - Rugby News
Otago has kicked off their ITM Cup 2011 campaign in great fashion as they grabbed a comprehensive win over the North Harbour in the opening match of the tournament. The inaugural clash of the ITM Cup was held at Carisbrook Stadium, in Dunedin on July 14,
in which Otago defeated North Harbour by huge margin of 46-29. Otago dominated their opponents from the start of the match and scored six tries to leave the rivals in the dust.
The highly anticipated match proved smooth sailing for Otago as North Harbour failed to deliver on the crucial occasions. Otago’s side ran into the game very quickly and crossed the try line repeatedly in both halves. They took early control of the match
and increased their lead to 24-0 in the first 30 minutes of the match. Their skipper, Eben Joubert, was running very hard in the field and scored two tries for his side in the first half. The winning side ended up the first part of the match with 25-5.
The North Harbour side, which was quiet on their end in the first-half, resisted Otago to some extent in the second-half of the match. James King and Ben Botica tried picking the game up for North Harbour but Otago did not provide them easy opportunities
to bounce back in the match.
The Otago side was elevated by Joe Hill and their skipper Eben Joubert with two tries each whereas Ben Atiga and TJ Ioane scored one each for their side. Ben Botica helped his North Harbour side with three successful kicks on conversions and a well executed
penalty shot.
Otago will take on Auckland in their next match of ITM Cup on July 20.
Otago: Glenn Dickson, Joe Hill, Ben Atiga, Sam Giddens ,Buxton Popoali'I, Tony Brown, Sean Romans, Gareth Evans, Eben Joubert (c), Regan Tamihere, Tom Donnelly, Daniel Ramsay, Kees Meeuws , Jason Macdonald and Halani Aulika
Reserves: Liam Coltman, James McGougan, Scott Manson, Rob Verbakel, TJ Ioane, Johnny Legg, Jayden Spence, Matt Faddes.
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