It was a hard trek to Masterton for the Wanganui Toyota Development XV, whose goal of retaining RDO Shield took a nose dive into the artificial turf at Memorial Park after being beaten 29-15 by Wairarapa-Bush Development on Saturday.
Travelling without noted playmakers Isireli Baleitavuki, Jaye Flaws and Steelie Koro, while flanker Tom Nichol broke his hand during the week, the Development XV could only take a squad of 20 on the bus trip south, with the Heartland team needing the extra complement to begin their season at Cooks Gardens.
"You're always stronger at home," coach Ross Williams said.
"They had six [Heartland players] drop down, we had two.
"That's the nature of Development - week to week you don't know who you're going to get.