ON THE BATTLEFIELD

TRY IN THE CORNER: Ngāti Porou East Coast reserve back Fabyan Kahaki places the ball down in the left-hand corner for a try in a Heartland Championship rugby match against Whanganui at Whakarua Park, Ruatoria, on Saturday. Picture by Paul Rickard

THE codes were different but the action was equally intense in sporting fixtures in Gisborne and Ruatoria on Saturday.

Gisborne United played out a thrilling Central Football Federation Cup knockout final against Palmerston North side North End at Harry Barker Reserve.

Up State Highway 35, Ngati Porou East Coast had a tough battle against Whanganui in Week 3 of the Heartland rugby championship.

United and North End ended 90 minutes, then extra time locked 3-all, but the home team clinched the silverware 3-1 in a penalty shootout.

The Coast fought hard against a strong Whanganui side before going down 34-18.

Poverty Bay's 48-20 loss to Buller in Westport means the Bay and the Coast are closely situated on the points table. The Coast are eighth on five points; the Bay 10th on four.

All roads lead to Gisborne this Saturday when the Bay and the Coast meet in what is shaping up to be a titanic battle.

The match, at which the Bill Osborne Taonga will be at stake, is to be screened live on Sky TV and Prime at 2.30pm.