There was enterprise and endeavour, but no glory for the SIT Zero Fees Stags in their Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato this afternoon.
Southland led for most of the first half against the Shield holders and put plenty of pressure on Waikato’s line in the second half, but again came away empty handed.
Stags captain James Wilson was disappointed his team couldn’t continue their efforts of the first 40 minutes.
“I thought our boys come out and really performed in that first half, but we just didn’t bring it in the second half,” Wilson said.
“The boys are still battling, which is great. It’s been a tough season, but we are still fighting.”
Waikato lifted in the second half to run in six tries altogether for a 42-11 win, with Fletcher Smith landing six conversions.
Hamilton has not been a happy hunting ground for the Stags, with just one win in Hamilton in 56 years of trying, that 7-6 victory coming in 2010.
A combination of some adventurous attack and dogged defence should have secured the Stags a halftime lead.
After Wilson landed an early penalty, Waikato scored through Dwayne Sweeney.
Southland struck back almost immediately, with another wide pass from Wilson putting Lewis Ormond away.
In the confusion which followed his infield pass, Tauasosi Tuimavave was in the right place at the right time to crash over in the corner.
Wilson’s second penalty after 22min saw the Stags extend their lead to four points.
Southland’s counter-rucking was putting Waikato under pressure and the home team looked to their rolling maul to set up a platform.
As well as spreading the Waikato defence with Wilson’s wide passing from centre, there was also some incisive offloading from Wilson and Raymond Nu’u, while Tony Lamborn was making a nuisance of himself at the ruck.
Some desperate defence on their goal line looked to have won the Stags the lead at halftime, but Waikato was able to put Seru Reece over deep in injury time for a 14-11 lead at the break.
The Stags would have loved to be the first team to score after halftime, but after Manaaki Selby-Rickit had done well to hold up the Waikato player over the line, Samisoni Taukei’aho muscled his way over for a bonus point try.
A horrible bounce cost Southland a try soon after when Wilson broke through in the midifled and Sauasosi Tuimavave sent an educated kick into the ingoal for Isaac Te Tamaki which broke away from him just as he went to force it.
A nice short ball from Wilson put Phil Halder through, but he was held up over the line and then Wilson jinked his way through but was cut down just short.
After a period of good play, Waikato broke away to score two late tries to blow out the scoreline.
Waikato 42 (Dwayne Sweeney, Seru Reece, Murray Iti, Samisoni Taukei’aho 2, Toby Smith tries; Fletcher Smith 6 con)
Southland 11 (Tauasosi Tuimavave try; James Wilson 2 pen)
Source: Rugby Southland