Wanganui crash to another defeat
The accurate boot of first-five James So’oialo saw Horowhenu Kapiti beat Wanganui and seal their spot in the Meads Cup semifinals.
Horowhenua Kapiti inflicted Wanganui’s third loss of the season thanks to a great team effort and So’oialo, who kicked five penalties in their 15-8 win.
So’oialo was a standout while William Lander impressed at lock and tighthead prop Scott Cameron also had a big game, strong in the scrum and great around the paddock.
With one week left of the Heartland Championship round-robin, three of the top four have been found. Table-toppers South Canterbury, Horowhenua Kapiti and Buller are assured spots with defending champions Wanganui facing North Otago at Cooks Garden in what is a virtual quarterfinal.
South Canterbury are likely to finish top with only winless East Coast left to play while Horowhenua Kapiti travel to Westport to face Buller in a game that will decide who gets to host a home semifinal.
Buller pulled off a Houdini act in Ashburton after trailing at 29-6 at one stage but showed plenty of composure to win 40-32.
As well as conducting Buller around the field James Lash scored 25 points courtesy of a try, four conversions and four penalty goals, to take his season tally to 118 points.
Two tries in the dying minutes completed Buller’s stunning comeback. Lash’s conversion of a David Egelstaff try with three minutes left on the clock put Buller in front, 33-32, and then a Iliesa Ravudra try with time up sealed the deal.
Mid Canterbury fullback Maleli Sau was the star for the home side, scoring a hat-trick.
A brave Wairarapa Bush gave South Canterbury a fright at the start of their game in Timaru. Two tries inside 10 minutes to former All Black Piri Weepu and openside Epeli Rayaqayaqa had them up 14-0 but they couldn’t hold on.
South Canterbury had the better of the second half to win 29-20.
For South Canterbury halfback Willie Wright grabbed two crucial tries, to add to his three from the previous week.
Second five Vatiliaia Tora and No 8 Brad Hemopo also had strong games, carrying the ball well, and both also scored tries.
Wairarapa’s best were diminutive dynamo Rayaqayaqa, lock Andrew Mclean and Tim Priest, who played at both fullback and first-five.
Weepu was also very good but went off after 30 minutes with a rib cartilage injury.
A strong second half into the wind saw West Coast beat Thames Valley 24-17 in Greymouth, after they were tried 14-14 at the break.
For West Coast their loose forward trio of Amena Tukuna, Steve Soper and Brad Tauwhare had excellent games as did prop Troy Tauwhare.
A good second half also saw Poverty Bay beat King Country 43-29 a in Gisborne, after being tied 19-19 at the break
North Otago romped home 57-14 over East Coast in Oamaru, scoring nine tries to two with Matthew Vocea and Josh Buckham grabbing a brace each.