Wairarapa Bush 19
Wanganui 26
Wanganui took advantage of a numerical advantage late in the game to beat Wairarapa Bush 26-19 in their top-of-the-table Heartland rugby championship match in Masterton today.
The defending champions dominated proceedings in terms of both territory and possession but had to pull put all stops to beat a Wairarapa Bush side which constantly thwarted their attacking movements through ferocious defence.
The home side also kept picking up valuable points through the all-round skills of first five-eighths-cum-fullback Glen Walters whose try, four penalties and conversion actually gave his side a 19-13 lead going into the last 10 minutes.
It was then, however, that Wairarapa Bush had the misfortune to have their outstanding flanker Johan Van Vliet sinbinned and Wanganui immediately capitalised through a try to replacement forward Roman Tutauha which was converted by first-five Mark Davis. His kick rebounded against an upright before going between the posts to give his side a 20-19 lead.