South Canterbury rule Heartland championship
SOUTH CANTERBURY made it two from two in the Heartland championship with a convincing 49-15 win over West Coast in Greymouth yesterday.
Three tries in each half mean they have maximum points and sit alone on top of the table.
North Otago put on stunning second-half show to beat Poverty Bay 43-34 in Oamaru, after trailing 29-12 at the break.
Poverty Bay had the four-try bonus by the break but simply ran out of gas, allowing North Otago to also gain a bonus point.
North Otago looked in big trouble in the first 20 minutes as Poverty Bay seemed likely to score every time they had the ball, with centre TK Moeke and 36-year-old Rico Gear running at will.
But the hosts clawed their way back, with blindside flanker Josh Clark outstanding, and captain Ralph Darling proved his worth in the front row and also scored a try.
As North Otago started to dominate, lock Sale Pi’i was prominent and also got on the score sheet. In the backs, centre Chris Masoe and fullback Chris Talanoa impressed, while young wing Tenina Sauileoge scored a brilliant individual try.
Coach Mike Mullins said he was pleased his side got the win.
‘‘It gives a shot at the Meads Cup. It would be tough to start with two losses.’’
In Greymouth, South Canterbury always looked the better side and had their first try within five minutes to loose forward Sam Vea.
They also gave the ball plenty of air and width, with right wing Maile I’Ongi scoring twice and impressive left wing Erenimo Tau also dotting down. Another to have a good game in front of the New Zealand Heartland selectors was fullback Jared Trevathan.
Captain Nick Strachan had an excellent scavenging game in the the No 7 jersey while Doug Hill also played well when he came on as a substitute at lock.
For West Coast, left wing Regan Stanton was a standout on his debut, after switching from league, while openside flanker Josh Hill tackled anyone that came his way.
West Coach Allan Lindsay was not happy with his side’s poor performance but credited South Canterbury for their attacking flair.
South Canterbury coach Chester Scott said he was satisfied but not getting carried away.
‘‘Its good to win, we had more pace and firepower out wide, but there are still things to work on.’’
Meanwhile Thames Valley started to get a sense of deja vu in their match against King Country yesterday, but this time they clung on to win 15-10.
After coughing up a 14-6 lead to draw 19-19 with Horowhenua Kapiti in round one, the Swampfoxes looked like doing the same in the second round of the Heartland Championship.
But this time Thames Valley learnt from their mistakes, kept penalties to a minimum and ground down a threatening Rams side at Boyd Park, Te Aroha.
Swampfoxes first five-eighth David Harrison slotted four firsthalf penalties for a 12-0 lead at the break.
He nailed two late penalties from halfway, making use of a strong wind at his back.
King Country came out after the break showing confidence, but in slippery and windy conditions struggled to hold on to the ball.
When Rams lock Gene Waller was carried from the field with a serious-looking knee injury, it seemed things wouldn’t go King Country’s way. The forwards kept pounding the ball up the middle of the field but Thames Valley were holding strong.
Last week, Thames Valley paid for getting on the wrong side of the referee, but this time they were more disciplined at the breakdown.
King Country pivot Whakataki Cunningham did have an early sight of the posts in the second half, but pulled it to the left from 40m out. The points came soon after, however, when flanker Shaun Barr went over from a maul near the sideline. Cunningham added the extras, and then slotted a penalty to make it 12-10.
With 10 minutes remaining Cunningham had the chance to seal victory with a penalty wide on the right, but left it short, and then Harrison was given the chance to extend the lead up the other end, which he did.
King Country then launched a powerful attack up the right wing which looked like bringing a try to tie the match.
Up stepped Thames Valley reserve Joe Murray, stealing the ball at the ruck and winning his team a late penalty.
The win moves Thames Valley to six points on the Heartland table, one point ahead of King Country on five after two rounds.
The result will bring the Rams back down to earth after an impressive opening-round victory over Wairarapa Bush.
Bush had a massive turnaround of their own yesterday, although it probably feels like another loss for the men in green.
Hosting pre-season favourites Mid Canterbury in Masterton, the visitors scored a last-minute try and conversion for a 23-23 tie.
It was a return to form for Bush, who had an impressive pre-season, but not quite enough to secure their first victory.
Buller piled on the points in Ruatoria, slaughtering East Coast 67-6.
Meanwhile, Wanganui’s season is in tatters after two rounds, after a 34-23 loss to Horowhenua Kapiti.