Otago ground out a 21-20 victory over Wellington at Carisbrook on Friday evening, a win which keeps their hopes of an NPC home semi final very much alive.

This was a match which in most respects they had totally dominated but were in danger of losing with five minutes remaining. The Otago forwards dominated up front, opensider Josh Blackie again in superb form , and played most of the 80 minutes inside the visitors' territory. Indeed, it was a good half hour before Wellington played for the first time in the Otago 22. Given the weight of possession , Otago would have been disappointed to have gone into the half time break locked up at 3-3, Feeney and Flutey having each kicked a penalty.

The third quarter continued in the same vein, Feeney continuing to kick penalties at regular intervals and Holwell , on for Flutey, replying just once. So, with 20 minutes to go, Otago held a seemingly comfortable 15-6 lead. Jason Spice , as he so often does, then turned the game upside down with a bizarre play. He seemed quite badly hurt after coming out of a tackle second best, and remained on the floor as Wellington launched a series of non-threatening attacks. On the edge of a ruck he dragged himself up , somehow found himself in possession and dummied his way clear and to the try line for the game's opening try. This was followed up seven minutes later with the second from Paul Steinmetz after full back Neil Brew had failed to clear a long kick through from Tana Umaga, the ball went loose for Steinmetz to kick, chase and pounce beneath the posts. Holwell's conversion of both tries gave Wellington the lead for the first time after 70 minutes, a 5 point advantage.

Otago did not exactly come storming back , but they did play long enough in Wellington territory for the pressure to eke out two further penalties which Feeney duly converted , his seventh in the 78th minute clinching the victory. But there was really nothing in it at the end, Otago having narrowly avoided what would have been a very expensive loss. As it is , they have an awkward final two games, but have probably done enough to count on a final four placing. Wellington will be frustrated at having gone so close, but overall they probably did not do enough to deserve the four points .

Otago : 21 : Penalties : Feeney ( 7 )

Wellington : 20 : Tries : Spice, Steinmetz. Conversions : Holwell ( 2 ). Penalties : Flutey, Holwell.