North Otago stumble

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.

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.

In Ashburton West Coast surprised Mid Canterbury with a much better than expected performance, going down in a nail biter 34-22.

In fact the Coasters were looking for the matchwinning 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 half time before the Hammers slowly came back, in what they would consider an below par outing.

Defending champions Wanganui remain two points clear at the top after cruising past Poverty Bay 52-30 in Gisborne.

Right wing Te Rangatira Waitokia was outstanding as he ran in four of his side’s seven tries while centre Blake Hohoia also stood out.

Waitokia’s spree put him on top of the Heartland Championship try scorers with nine tries for the season so far. Makakai Volau also impressed at No 8.

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.

Buller also won a high scoring encounter 54-22 over East Coast in Westport to stay in third place.