Heartland cream rises to the top

bury in round seven, giving the likes of North Otago and Wairarapa Bush hope they can make up the gap on the points table.

North Otago are four points behind Horowhenua Kapiti, while Wairarapa Bush are one point further back to remain in striking distance.

West Coast and King Country fill the other two Lochore Cup places for now, with Thames Valley and Buller one point behind, while Poverty Bay and winless East Coast make up the final two places.

Mid Canterbury extended their unbeaten run on Saturday with a 50-32 win over bottom dwellers East Coast in Ashburton.

Fullback Matt Thatcher and wing Gideon Lambrechts scored a brace each as Mid Canterbury notched up eight tries and secured only their second bonus point of the season.

South Canterbury kept the pressure on their local rivals with a 35-19 win over Thames Valley in Timaru, with the hosts scoring three tries around the halfway mark to pull away from the Swamp Foxes.

Wanganui had to come from 17-7 down at home against King Country to rescue a 17-17 draw in a quality derby between the neighbouring provinces.

Horowhenua Kapiti scored a late try to beat North Otago 26-22 at the Levin Domain.

Brandyn Laursen pulled the strings to score a personal tally of 18 points, including a try, three penalties and two conversions.