Southland hammer Harbour in Ranfurly Shield clash

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FIRST FIVE: Matt Saunders scored the first try for Southland in their Ranfurly Shield/ITM Cup clash against Harbour in Invercargill.

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Southland turned on some impressive running rugby to down North Harbour 47-21 and retain the Ranfurly Shield in their national provincial championship rugby match in Invercargill.

After stumbling to their first loss of the season last week, 22-33 to Northland, Southland looked a more focused, cohesive unit and dominated Harbour from the whistle in a seven-try win.

Southland coach Simon Culhane had demanded a more intense defensive effort tonight but it was the Shield holders' attack which impressed early on. Second five-eighth Matt Saunders brushed through four or five tackles to open the scoring in the third minute after the Harbour cover defence proved too sluggish.

Harbour replied 15 minutes later, winger Nafi Tuitavake showing pace and evasion to touch down after Harbour finally found field position and moved the ball wide.

Too often, however, they were guilty of turning over possession after working hard to gain territory. And Southland proved dangerous on the counterattack, their second try coming from a turnover after Harbour were deep on attack in the 24th minute.

First five-eighth Robbie Robinson hoofed the ball into open space deep in the Harbour 22, the chasers recycled possession and captain Jamie Mackintosh materialised on the wing to gather in the ball and touch down by the corner flag.

The lead was extended two minutes before halftime after an initial break from centre Kendrick Lynn was finished by halfback Scott Cowan.

Southland started the second half in the same fashion they finished the first - with a try in the opening minutes.

Fullback Glen Horton crossed just one minute after the restart, the try sparked by an scintillating run from Lynn.

Harbour replied five minutes later through a fine 50m run from first five-eighth Mike Harris. The margin ballooned back out again within a few minutes, however, some slick work from the Southland backs was finished by the ever-elusive Lynn, and Southland led 33-14 with 20 minutes remaining.

The southerners scored twice more before the final whistle, Lynn again featuring with some intelligent passing as wing Tony Koonwaiyou dotted down.

Although Harbour pulled one back in the 79th minute, they left themselves wide open in seeking the bonus try, and Lynn picked up his second try of the match in the final seconds of play.

Southland 47 (Kendrick Lynn 2, Matt Saunders, Jamie Mackintosh, Scott Cowan, Glen Horton, Tony Koonwaiyou tries; Robbie Robinson 6 con).

North Harbour 21 (Nafi Tuitavake, Mike Harris, James Afoa tries; Harris 2 con, Ben Botica con).

Halftime: 21-7.

- NZPA