Southland have broken their duck for 2016 with a hard-fought 20-16 win over Bay of Plenty in Invercargill.
After a scrappy first half the visitors took a 13-3 advantage into the sheds at halftime, Aidan Ross and Joe Tupe both rummaging over from efficient close-range line-out drives.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second stanza, James Schrader latching on to a Jimmy Cowan box kick for his side's first try, before Cowan pilfered another off the back of a line-out drive to give the Stags their first lead of the game.
Penalties edged them further ahead in the closing quarter, the hosts eventually clinging on for a much-needed victory.
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