Stags stampede to beat Manawatu in NPC

The Southland Stags have recorded their first win of the National Provincial Championship (NPC) season.

Southland sparked into life in the second half, coming from 22 points down at halftime to defeat Manawatu 29-22 at Invercargill's Rugby Park Stadium on Friday night.

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Former All Blacks second-five Ngani Laumape, hooker Vernon Bason and fullback Drew Wild scored tries as the Turbos raced out to a 22-0 at the break.

The Stags surged back into the contest with three tries in 10 minutes, started by second-five Faletoi Peni in the 53rd minute, and continued by wing Michael Manson in the 56th minute and reserve Alex Yallop in the 63rd minute.

A penalty from Dan Hollinshead, who also kicked three conversions, in the 69th minute put the home team up for the first time, before replacement outside back Fletcher Morgan scored the clinching try three minutes later.

Southland scored four tries in the second half to overcome Manawatu in Invercargill. PHOTO: NPC

The victory temporarily took Southland to fifth in the standings on six points, three points out of the top-four.

In Week 4, the Stags travel to Rotorua to take on the Bay of Plenty Steamers on Thursday (kick-off 7.10pm), while Manawatu have nine days off before hosting the Wellington Lions next Sunday (kick-off 4.35pm).

The NPC continues with four matches on Saturday, highlighted by BOP hosting Canterbury in Tauranga (kick-off 2.05pm) and Taranaki heading to Eden Park to play Auckland (kick-off 4.35pm).

Southland 29 (Faletoi Peni, Michael Manson, Alex Yallop, Fletcher Morgan tries; Dan Hollinshead 3 con, pen) Manawatu 22 (Ngani Laumape, Vernon Bason, Drew Wild tries; Brett Cameron 2 con). HT: 0-22