Sopoaga hit the upright with his first shot at goal

DUNEDIN, New Zealand -- Flyhalf Lima Sopoaga kicked 25 points as the Highlanders beat the Hurricanes 35-31 in Super Rugby on Friday. Sopoaga hit the upright with his first shot at goal from 15 metres. He then kicked nine goals in succession -- two conversions and seven penalties -- before being replaced in the 62nd minute, three points short of the Highlanders record for most points in a match. All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett scored 26 points for the Hurricanes, four shy of the Wellington teams points-scoring record. He had two late tries as his team rallied from 35-12 down with 19 unanswered points. Barrett also kicked two conversions and four penalties but his efforts were only good enough to earn the Hurricanes a consolation bonus point. The Hurricanes have just one win from five games, which should put even more pressure on embattled coach Mark Hammett now that the teams playoff hopes are almost gone with less than a third of the season completed. The Highlanders won their opening match against the Auckland-based Blues before dropping close games to the Chiefs and the Western Force. Fridays win was their second in four games, lifting them to second behind the Chiefs in the New Zealand conference at the start of the sixth round. "We played a good first half and we really put them under pressure," Highlanders captain Nasi Manu said. "But I think when we came out in the second half we were guilty of defending the lead and not playing much rugby and, like a dangerous Hurricanes side, they almost caught us." Sopoagas outstanding kicking performance helped give the Highlanders an 18-9 lead in the first half. Phil Burleigh and Patrick Osborne then scored second-half tries to give the Highlanders a 35-12 lead after 56 minutes. "It was a tricky first half in which penalties ruled the day and we couldnt get into it," Hurricanes captain Conrad Smith said. "But we felt pretty good and then we just got caught chasing the game again. We coughed up a try and there were a few 50-50 moments but good sides respond better than that." ------ Highlanders 35 (Phil Burleigh, Patrick Osborne tries; Lima Sopoaga 2 conversions, 7 penalties), Hurricanes 31 (Beauden Barrett 2, Ben Franks tries; Beauden Barrett 2 conversions, 4 penalties). Halftime: 18-9. Air Max 2018 Outlet . The 18-time champions, who havent won the title since 1990, moved two points behind Arsenal after the leaders were stunned 6-3 at Manchester City on Saturday. Defending champion Manchester United trails Arsenal by 10 points after winning 3-0 at Aston Villa to avoid a third successive league loss. Air Max 2018 Clearance .com) - Carmelo Anthony tallied 31 points to help the New York Knicks continue their improved play of late with a 100-92 victory over a short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder squad. http://www.cheapairmaxsaleonline.com/ . The Brazil defender was substituted 13 minutes into Wednesdays 2-1 Copa del Rey win at Athletic Bilbao because of a right hamstring problem. Scans revealed a second grade tear which could keep him out for a reported four to six weeks. Blue Air Max 2018 .9 million deal Thursday. The 25-year McGinn had 19 goals and 19 assists in 79 games last season in helping the Avalanche tie a franchise record with 52 wins. Cheap Air Max 2018 China .com) - Roosevelt Jones had 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to lead No.Defensive back Josh Bell is joining the Calgary Stampeders. The Stampeders announced the move on Wednesday. Bell spent his first two CFL seasons with the B.C. Lions and after registering just five tackles in his rookie season, he totaled 49 tackles and one interception in 2013. "Joshua is a talented player with experience on both sides of the border who has estaablished himself as a very good CFL player," said head coach and general manager John Hufnagel.dddddddddddd "With the departure of several members of our secondary this off-season, he has an excellent opportunity to step in and play an important role with us this season." Bell played 13 games in the NFL before moving to the CFL. ' ' '