Southland battled to a 15-15 deadlock with Northland yesterday in what neutral observers might describe, without a hint of hyperbole, as the worst NPC game in the history of the competition. You name it, this fixture at a slippery Rugby Park had it. Mistakes? Millions. Turnovers? Too many to count. Aimless kicking? You know it. Six penalties against just two tries? Naturally. A sense of ennui and wistful lamentation over the many possible better uses of a Sunday afternoon? Overwhelming.