North Otago saved some of their best rugby for last, despite the wet playing surface, as they ran in nine tries to beat Buller 55-14 in Weston on Saturday.
The Old Golds didn't waste any time getting on the scoreboard, with winger Ben McCarthy racing over for the opening try inside the first minute of play.
Buller struck back through Joe Taylor who had to double back to collect a missed pass, he then managed to find a gap in the North Otago defence and raced away to score between the posts. Andrew Wells added the kick to give Buller a 7-5 lead early in the match.
From their, North Otago threw the ball around and got stuck into their work. The forwards set up camp on the tryline, with multiple cracks at the line before lock Apenisa Tuiba crashed over for the try to put North Otago back into the lead.
North Otago decided to spread the ball straight from the kickoff, with Centre Matia Botavotavo taking the ball just outside of his own 22m. He took off through a gap and raced away towards halfway, where he sent the ball out to winger Hayden Todd who drew in the last defender before passing back inside to Botavotavo to race away for the try.
Botavotavo got a first half double after following up on a Tini Feke run. Feke received the ball from a scrum just outside the opposition 22m, he found plenty of space to weave through before passing to Botavotavo for the try.
Greg Dyer showed his game reading skills when he popped up for a timely intercept. Buller had the scrum feed on the North Otago 22m, they spread the ball wide before Dyer pounced and ran away for a long range try.
Buller front-rower Harris McRobbie had the last say for the first half when he bustled over for a try on halftime, making it 31-14 to North Otago at the break.
North Otago's opening second half try had a bit of everything. A Feke break from inside his own half, where he got ankle tapped and managed to do a forward roll before regaining his feet. He got tackled again, then hooker Ryusei Kato picked up the ball and continued the run. He linked up with Isaac Clunie who then raced off towards the corner, before flicking the ball back inside for Kato to score a superb try.
The tries kept coming for the home side, as North Otago went about extending their lead. A faint little grubber kick out to the corner sent McCarthy in for his second try of the match.
Reserve prop Max Sawers looked certain to score a try between the posts when he crashed over between two defenders, although the referee deemed he was short of the line. Jake Matthews was the next to have a crack at the line, staunch Buller defence the only thing denying him from getting on the scoresheet as the turned him in the tackle and held him up over the line.
North Otago continued to dominate territory and possession, before Feke picked up a try in another strong individual performance. Sawers then grabbed a late try to push the score out to 55-14, leaving Buller scoreless in the second half.
It was a performance to be proud of for the side who has struggled to put the finishing touches on their games this season. North Otago has been competitive throughout a tough season, blooding new talent including today with Isaac Clunie and Will Knight adding their names to the list of 19 players who made their debut this season.
North Otago 55 Ben McCarthy 2, Matia Botavotavo 2, Greg Dyer, Ryusei Kato, Tini Feke, Max Sawers, Apenisa Tuiba tries; Dyer 5 con
Buller 14 Joe Taylor, Harris McRobbie tries; Andrew Wells 2 con.
