Wanganui stay clear of rivals
DEFENDING champions Wanganui remain on top at the halfway stage of the Heartland Championship.
Wanganui had a real battle against King Country at Te Kuiti yesterday but came out on top 22-10.
King Country gave Wanganui, who were playing into the wind, a 20-0 head start at halftime and desperately tried to claw their way back in the second half.
The men from ‘Meads Country’ just lacked the finishing touches when they were needed but did hold Wanganui to three tries, meaning they missed the four-try bonus point for the first time this season.
That has allowed South Canterbury to close the gap at the top of the table to two competition points, with only five points separating the top five teams.
South Canterbury proved too strong for Poverty Bay in Timaru winning 52-28.
The hosts had the four try bonus point in the bag by halftime and led 52-14 before Poverty Bay rallied late.
Injuries to Poverty Bay’s front row meant scrums went uncontested for the final 15 minutes while South Canterbury also lost a man to the sin bin for the final 10 minutes.
For South Canterbury hooker Junior Faavae scored a hat-trick in the first 44 minutes in a superb display.
In the battle for the Rundle Cup at Westport, Buller blew West Coast off Victoria Park winning 48-0, after being up 16-0 at the break.
Buller ran in six tries and classy first five James Lash converted them all and grabbed one himself.
Mid Canterbury kept their top JOHN BISSET/FAIRFAX NZ four hopes alive with a 42-26 win over Horowhenua Kapiti in Levin, running in five tries.
North Otago had no trouble disposing of East Coast with a 48-8 win in Ruatoria, having only been up 8-2 at halftime.
In the end the Old Golds ran in six tries with three going to centre Shae Tucker, in a polished display.
Wairarapa Bush beat Thames Valley 28-18 on the synthetic surface in Masterton.