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Otago Daily Times

North Otago display ‘pleasing'

It was a typical preseason clash between North Otago and Otago Country on Saturday. The Old Golds ran away with the victory in the annual fixture, recording a 47-24 win over Otago Country in sunny Wanaka conditions. Ben McCarthy, who has returned from a stint overseas, bagged two tries off the bench for North Otago, while Otago Country hooker Keegan Ferguson snatched a brace on debut. The Old Golds opened through winger Hopoate Finau, but Country's forwards rolled up their sleeves and got to work. The home side's set piece was strong with their lineout helping halfback Josh Cook get into space, throw a dummy, and get Country on the board. The Old Golds forwards started to find some space with back-to-back tries, but Country's strong scrum helped Ferguson grab his first. His opposite, Hayden Tisdall, scored before halftime to give the Old Golds a 28-12 lead. Otago Country came out of the sheds with big intent, retaining possession and closed the gap with Ferguson's second. Both teams brought on reinforcements off the bench, opening up the game, and the Old Golds ran in three tries in the final quarter. North Otago coach Luke Herden said it was a quality game considering both sides' limited preparations. "Otago Country were always going to be tough and never go away," Herden said. "We scored two or three good tries in the first half, and we sort of let Otago Country back into the game with ... our mistakes. "But when we did get our game going, we were really effective, and really happy with how that all went. "I thought our game drivers did pretty well, especially in that first half. "We managed to play with width at times, very accurately as well, and overall the whole team's decision-making was pleasing. That was good." Otago Country now turn their attention to the Tuppy Diack Shield. They head to Lawrence this weekend to meet Dunedin Metro South in their opening game in the inaugural competition. North Otago have the week off — "we'll take this week to get our systems and structures all fine-tuned" — ahead of the Heartland season getting under way next weekend. They open their campaign against Heartland powerhouses Whanganui away next Saturday. Preseason game The scores North Otago 47 Ben McCarthy 2, Hopoate Finau, Mitch Morton, Savenaca Rabaka, Hayden Tisdall, Matia Qiolevu tries; Kenta Iemura 4 con, Isaac Clunie 2 con Otago Country 24 Keegan Ferguson 2, Joshua Cook, Sam Wyber tries; Jared Hayes 2 con Halftime: North Otago 24-12.