The ACT Brumbies have broken their Dunedin drought with a 27-21 win over the Highlanders.
The visitors started slow as they went down 8-0 inside the first seven minutes.
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The experience of the side kept them in the contest as Corey Toole put them back in front just after the break.
Both teams traded penalties before a rolling maul try to Lachlan Lonergan helped seal the win.
It ensured the Brumbies' spot in the top four, their first win at Forsyth Barr Stadium since 2013.
The home side took an 11-7 lead into halftime after opening the scoring through a penalty strike by Gilbert and then a try to Nikora Broughton.
The No.8 capitalised on a Brumbies error and kicked the ball into the in-goal, winning the race to touch down.
The Brumbies opted against taking a penalty kick and built on their phases in attack before being rewarded with a try in the 23rd minute to fullback Tom Wright.
The visitors cleaned up their game in the second half, particularly around the breakdown, and were first on the scoreboard when winger Corey Toole used pure pace to race around the defence.
Their lead was out to 17-11 after Lolesio added the conversion and then another penalty.
But the Highlanders kept coming and were back in the lead after flanker Billy Harmon dragged five Brumbies defenders along as he stormed over from 10 metres out.
The Brumbies kept their composure and went in front 20-18 in the 65th minute off the boot of Lolesio.
Coach Stephen Larkham emptied his bench and came up trumps through Lonergan's effort to give his team their third win from four games.
While happy to get the win, Larkham felt there was still plenty of improvement ahead.
"It's a step up from last week - the lineout last week was pretty abysmal and this week slightly better so we're improving at least but from a forwards' carry perspective they really dominated tonight," he said.
"A few mistakes from the backs at the back end of the game but the forwards were really outstanding."
They do have some injury concerns with prop Blake Schoupp and centre Len Ikitau both forced off late in the first half.
Tries: Wright, Toole, L. Lonergan
Cons: Lolesio 3/3
Pens: Lolesio 2/2
Tries: Broughton, Harmon
Cons: Gilbert 1/2
Pens: Gilbert 3/4
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Saula Ma'u, Fabian Holland, Max Hicks, Tom Sanders, Billy Harmon (c), Nikora Broughton, Folau Fakatava, Cameron Millar, Martin Bogado, Sam Gilbert, Tanielu Tele'a, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
RESERVES: Henry Bell, Ayden Johnstone, Jermaine Ainsley, Oliver Haig, Sean Withy, James Arscott, Ajay Faleafaga, Connor Garden-Bachop
BRUMBIES (1-15): Blake Schoupp, Billy Pollard, Sosefo Kautai, Nick Frost, Cadeyrn Neville, Tom Hooper, Jahrome Brown, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan (c), Noah Lolesio, Corey Toole, Tamati Tua, Len Ikitau, Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright
RESERVES: Lachlan Lonergan, James Slipper, Rhys Van Nek, Darcy Swain, Rory Scott, Harrison Goddard, Declan Meredith, Ollie Sapsford
Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
Assistant Referees: Stu Curran, Jackson Henshaw
