By Adam Hollingworth
Tasman took on Southland in the ITM cup tonight, having lost in all four of their previous encounters.
But Southland had lost all their ITM fixtures this season, so one team was going to break a duck.
The match was the best advert for away kits as the clarets took on the clarets.
Tasman in the dark shorts produced the one moment to inspire the Blenheim crowd in the first half.
Born in Wellington, Peter Betham was plying his trade on the fringes of Australian super rugby, till now.
Funny but the Makos did find a better one less than 20 minutes later.
Robbie Malneek's contender for try of the season put Betham's in the shade and extended Tasman's lead to seven points, only for the stags to square up the match in less spectacular style with under a quarter to go.
But the Makos pressed on and won a crucial penalty.
And despite the stags throwing together 21 phases in a final push for the win Tasman clung on to their 13-10 lead to the last whistle.
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