Week 2 review - North Otago too big, too strong for Poverty Bay

North Otago were too big, too strong and too fast for last season's Lochore Cup winners Poverty Bay in their AA Rewards Heartland  Championship clash in Gisborne today, winning 31-11.

Poverty Bay battled to the end but were outplayed by a team in which centre Fa'a Tamgheloa, second five-eighth Glenn Dickson and No 8 Joe Mamea were outstanding.

Tries to blindside flanker Viliami Leo, right winger Ekeroma Sefo and first five-eight Jeremy Huia along with two conversions and four penalties to Dickson made it two wins from two for North Otago.

With first use of a strong wind North Otago took control from the kickoff and led 13-0 after 20 minutes but a penalty to skipper and first five Scott Leighton along with a try to fullback Kahu Tamatea closed the gap to five at halftime.

Leighton reduced the deficit to two with another penalty within a minute of the restart but from then on, despite playing into the wind, North Otago dominated possession and territory .

Dickson replied to Leighton's penalty in the 56th minute before Sefo stretched the lead with a try in the corner 11 minutes later. Dickson converted from the touchline it was all North Otago,

Another Dickson penalty was followed by a try to Huia in the last play of the match.

North Otago 31 (Viliami Leo, Ekeroma Sefo, Jeremy Huia tries; Glenn Dickson 4 pen, 2 con) Poverty Bay 11 (Kahu Tamatea try; Scott Leighton 2 pen). Halftime: 13-8.