Hurricanes left feeling Blue
Auckland Blues kept hold of top spot in the New Zealand conference after holding off the Hurricanes in a 17-11 victory.
By Paul Higham
Last Updated: 06/05/11 11:49am
Auckland Blues kept hold of top spot in the New Zealand conference of Super Rugby after holding off the Hurricanes in a 17-11 victory.
The Blues survived an almighty scare when Tyson Keats burrowed over the try line in the final seconds of the match, but he fumbled the ball to deny the Hurricanes any chance of stealing the victory.
Alby Mathewson scored the only try of the game for the Blues and Lachie Munro kicked four penalties as they recorded a sixth straight win, which takes them to 47 points and a seven-point lead over the Crusaders.
With wet conditions in Wellington making ball handling tricky, a disappointing first half saw the Blues lead 9-3 with three penalties to one.
A breakthrough nearly came for the Hurricanes ten minutes into the second half as Jeremy Thrush barged down the blindside, but he dropped the ball over the try line.
Amends
Thrush made amends five minutes later though, as he blocked a Stephen Brett kick before supplying Aaron Cruden who slipped the ball to Hosea Gear for the All Black to finish in the corner.
Although Cruden missed the conversion he slotted a second penalty on the hour for an 11-9 Hurricanes lead, but that was as good as it got for the hosts.
'Canes scrum-half Keats was sin-binned soon after for a spear tackle just after coming on as a replacement, and Munro booted the Blues back in front from the penalty.
Mathewson then sold the dummy to scamper over from close range following a drive from the line-out, before more sloppy handling cost the Blues the chance to extend their advantage.
The Hurricanes nearly made them pay, and Keats almost made amends as he fought his way over the line with the clock on 80 minutes, but he dropped the ball and with it the chance for a match-winning conversion attempt.
