West Coast worry Mid Canty
A fired up Wairarapa Bush looks to have made North Otago’s top four Heartland Championships hopes a difficult task with a 38-22 win in Oamaru.
The race for top four spots in the Meads Cup is a tight one and one loss can prove costly, as not every side plays each other in the round-robin.
The win lifts Wairarapa Bush into fourth as they leap frogged North Otago, who slipped to seventh.
The Bush had the game in the bag at the break up 28-8 and despite Old Gold’s attempt to climb back they were a bit too predictable.
Wairarapa’s livewire halfback John Ika had a superb game and he was everywhere, setting up tries and scoring one himself. Second-five Iziq Foa’i also impressed.
For North Otago hooker Sione Vea and lock Jared Whitburn played very well, while Shae Tucker tried hard with the limited ball he had and managed to keep former All Black Zac Guildford largely in check.
In Ashburton West Coast surprised Mid Canterbury with a much better than expected performance, going down in a nailbiter 34-22.
In fact the Coasters were looking for the match winning try in the last minute, before Mid Canterbury first five Jarred Percival scored a length of field runaway try to seal the deal.
The Coasters had led 16-12 at halftime before the Hammers slowly came back, in what they would consider an below par outing.
For West Coast blindside Brogan Watt had a huge game while Nic Cumming put in a polished performance at first five.
Loan second five Erenimo Tau played well in his debut game scoring two tries.
Tau was the top try scorer for South Canterbury last year with 11 before trying his luck playing club rugby in Northland.
For Mid Canterbury Christian Vainere played well on a rare appearance on the right wing.
Defending champions Wanganui remain two points clear at the top after cruising past Poverty Bay 52-30 in Gisborne.
Right wing Te Rangatira Waitokia ran in four of his sides seven tries in an outstanding performance while centre Blake Hohoia also stood out.
Waitokia’s spree put him on top of the Heartland Championship tryscorers with nine tries for the season so far. Makakai Volau also impressed at No 8.
Likewise, second-placed South Canterbury had no problems getting past Thames Valley 62-16.
South Canterbury ran in eight tries and were also award a penalty try against the Swamp Foxes in Paeora.
The Green and Blacks had the bonus point before the break, up 28-16, but Poverty Bay hoed into the visitors especially at the breakdown.
For South Canterbury new wing Kalavini Leatigaga bagged a brace of tries while centre Cam Bailey had his best outing for the province.
Lock Will Joines also played very well after coming on early as a substitute.
Buller won a high-scoring encounter 54-22 over East Coast in Westport to stay in third place.
Left wing Stefano Sauqaqa and fullback Anthony Tailua both scored hat-tricks for Buller, in outstanding performances while Shane Grieve and Dan Hytongue impressed in the Buller pack.
King Country kept their topfour hopes alive with a 42-18 win over Horowhenua Kapiti in Levin.