Waikato return to the Mitre 10 Cup Premiership for the 2019 season after an impressive 36-13 win over Otago in the Championship Final at FMG Stadium on Friday night.

Waikato opened the scoring ealy when Sevu Reece crossed for his 13th try of the season. Fletcher Smith was successful with the conversion and Waikato lead 7-0 after 8 minutes.

Otago bounced back with two consecutive penalties to be within one point of the home team but midway through the first half, Waikato scored their second try when a cut out pass found Quinn Tupaea in space and he went through to score. Smith added the extras and Waikato had an 8 point lead.

Tupaea was involved in Waikato third try, when he drew in the defence and provided a brilliant offload close to Otago’s line and Matty Lansdown would score. Smith this time was unsuccessful with the conversions and Waikato lead 19-6 with 9 minutes remaining in the half.

There would be no change to the score as Waikato lead at the break 19-6 after outscoring the visitors three tries to two penalties.

Otago struck back earlier in the second half when James Lentjes scored a try and Josh Ioane converted the try to bring Otago within 6 points of Waikato.

But on the ensuring kickoff, Fletcher Smith hoisted a high ball that was miss judged by Otago and Tyler Campbell timed his run perfectly to collect the ball and race away to score and extend Waikato’s lead. Smith added the extras and Waikato lead 26-13.

Waikato added another 7 points to their around the 55 minute mark when Matty Lansdown tiptoed down the sideline and offloaded back to Sevu Reece in support who would score his second of the match taking his season total to 14 tries. Again Smith was successful with the conversion and Waikato led 33-13.

With 11 minutes left Fletcher Smith converted a penalty shot at goal to add another 3 points to their score and that would be the final points in the game as Waikato ran in convincing winners to win promotion back into the Premiership for the 2019 season.

Waikato 36 (Sevu Reece 2, Quinn Tupaea, Matty Lansdown, Tyler Campbell; Fletcher Smith 4 conversions, 1 penalty)

Otago 13 (James Lantjes try; Josh Ioane 1 conversion, 2 penalties)

Halftime: Waikato 19-6 Otago

Article added: Monday 29 October 2018