North Otago went close again, pushing Mid Canterbury all the way before ultimately going down 28-21 in Weston.
It was another tight contest for North Otago, a match where the home side were more than competitive and showed they weren't far off the pace of the top sides in this years Heartland Championship. That has been the story of the season though, with North Otago going close in most games but still struggling to find a way to get the win.
North Otago were first to strike when Greg Dyer opted to run the ball out from inside his own 22m. The ball made it's way out to fullback Ben McCarthy, who used his pace to get up to the halfway line before handing a short ball to his winger Hayden Todd. Todd ran it in from around 45m out to open the scoring in style, with only two minutes on the clock.
Declan McCormack got his side on the board just minutes later, the flanker finding a gap at the ruck to dive over and score for Mid Canterbury and bring the scores level at 7-all.
Mid Canterbury then went ahead 14-7 when referee Will Todd awarded a penalty try. With an overlap out wide, McCarthy knocked the ball down to prevent the Mid Canterbury pass and was subsequently sent from the field with a yellow card.
With the half hour mark approaching, halfback Jake Mathhews opted for a quick tap penalty around 10m out from the tryline. With one pass he found lock, Fegus Read, who crashed over in the tackle to score the try and bring the scores back level at 14-14.
North Otago looked to go ahead just shy of half time, the ball was spread wide with Todd crossing the line and dotting the ball down, although the last pass from McCarthy was deemed forward. The scores remained even at the break.
Mid Canterbury lost a man early in the second half, with former North Otago and Otago halfback Kieran McClea deemed to have foot tripped his opposite, Matthews, as he attempted a quick tap penalty.
The second half became a tight tussle, with North Otago looking to be the first to break the deadlock. The home side came close, making it over the line but the ball ultimately being held up so no try.
The MC Hammers were the first to score in the second spell, with just over a quarter left to play. Fullback Thomas Middleton slipping a nice short ball to his first five Nathan McCloy who went over for the try.
A brilliant individual effort by Read brought North Otago back level, the lock charging down a clearing kick before regathering the ball and stepping the Mid Canterbury winger to score out wide. Dyer added the kick to make scores even again at 21-21.
Toetu Touli got his side back in front when he crossed for a dubious try. There appeared to be seperation between the ball and his hand as he placed the ball, however the referee awarded the try and Mid Canterbury went out to a 28-21 lead with 12 minutes to go.
North Otago attacked hard in the remaining moments, aiming to close the scores and bring things level once again. Mid Canterbury however, managed to hold on and claim the win 28-21.
North Otago 21 Fergus Read 2, Hayden Todd tries; Greg Dyer 3 con
Mid Canterbury 28 Declan McCormack, Nathan McCloy, Toetu Touli tries, penalty try; McCloy con, Thomas Reekie 2 con
