23rd January 2010 03:35PM

The Chiefs went down 24-31 in their first preseason match against the Highlanders at Carisbrook in Dunedin this afternoon.  

After the Chiefs led for the first three quarters of the game, the Highlanders claimed victory in the final quarter. 

In the first quarter of the match the Chiefs went out to a 19-5 lead with three tries and two conversions.  Powerful hooker Aled de Malmanche scored the first try for the Chiefs in 2010, followed by tries from two Chiefs Wider Training Group players wing Jason Hona and prop Hikairo Forbes.

The second quarter was a quiet time for the Chiefs team with no points scored, meanwhile the Highlanders inched closer with another try making it 19-10 at half-time.

The youngest member of the Chiefs, 20 year-old fullback Tim Nanai-Williams scored a try for the Chiefs in the third quarter. The Highlanders managed a try and a conversion in that spell. 

In the final quarter the Chiefs did not score but the Highlanders crossed the line twice as well as slotting two conversions. 

The match was played in four 20 minute quarters in overcast conditions.  The Chiefs will fly back to Hamilton tonight.

The Chiefs will train in Whangamata this Monday and Tuesday, then base themselves in Hamilton for the remainder of the week.  The Chiefs will then travel up the highway on Friday to take on the Blues in their second pre-season fixture to be played at Albany Stadium at 5.30pm.

The Chiefs' final preseason fixture is a home game being played against the Hurricanes at Rotorua on Friday 5 February.  Kick off is 3.00pm.  Tickets for this match can be purchased on game day.  Gates open 2.30pm.  

1st Quarter (19-5 Chiefs)

Tries: de Malmanche, Hona, Forbes

Conversions: Renata (2)

2nd Quarter (19-10 Chiefs)

No points scored by the Chiefs

3rd Quarter (24-17 Chiefs)

Tries: Nanai-Williams

4th Quarter - Full Time

The Chiefs team playing is: