Blues on top in Dunedin

Stephen Brett © Gallo Images

The Blues held out to clinch a tense Vodacom Super 14 game against the Highlanders, winning 19-15 away from home in Dunedin on Friday.

Blow-by-blow scoring

A brace of tries by fullback Paul Williams, one in each half, proved the telling difference in the sides as the Highlanders squandered a half-time lead to fall short in the end.

On a night which was woeful for the kickers -- both Stephen Brett and Michael Hobbs missed easy opportunities in front of the posts -- the Blues eventually used a bit of luck that came their way to change the game in their favour.

Not even an inspirational performance by Hobbs could get his side to the victory, and there will be some worries in Dunedin after Hobbs was forced off the field with injury late in the game.

The telling moment came 11 minutes into the second half, with the Highlanders in the lead and looking as if they were about to seize control of the game.

Williams received the ball in his own 22, had his kick charged down and the ball landed perfectly for his retreating forwards, with John Afoa latching onto it and charging down the field. Afoa drew three defenders, and then gave the perfect pass back to Williams, who touched down under the posts.

In the first half Williams also opened the scoring after Isaia Toeava made a telling break in the midfield and the ball was spun wide.

The Highlanders struck back almost immediately, as a perfect attack from a lineout ball created doubt in the Blues defence and allowed Israel Dagg to run in a beauty of a try.

The home side went further ahead when Blues prop Tony Woodcock lost the ball forward on his own line from a lineout, with the turnover ball finding Hobbs, who ran in untouched for the try.

Then came Williams’s try, which changed the complexion of the game and gave the momentum to the Blues.

Williams almost scored again three minutes later, with Dagg dragging the ball over his own tryline to prevent the try. The Blues wasted no time as Rene Ranger stormed through the defence to give his side what would become the winning try.

Dagg pulled a penalty back late in the game and both sides had chances to settle it. The Blues squandered theirs when lock Josh Bekhuis was carded for an infringement at the breakdown and the Highlanders couldn’t capitalise on a similar opportunity when Ranger was dispatched for slowing down the ball off his feet at the breakdown.

Highlanders - Tries: Israel Dagg, Michael Hobbs. Conversion: Hobbs. Penalty: Israel Dagg.
Blues - Tries: Paul Williams (2), Rene Ranger. Conversions: Stephen Brett (2).

Read more on the Super 14 page.

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