Wairarapa-Bush were good value for their 32-21 win over South Canterbury in a pulsating Heartland rugby championship match played at Memorial Park, Masterton, on Saturday.
Statistics might suggest South Canterbury had a hard luck story to tell through their scoring of three tries to Wairarapa-Bush's two but when it came down to the vital commodities of territory, possession and staying power the home team clearly had an edge.
Even though the impressive tally of 22 points contributed by the boot of fullback-cum-first-five Glen Walters had a say in the margin of victory, it was Wairarapa-Bush's ability to play a good portion of the game at the right end of the field which was the decisive factor in the result.
It was encouraging the spoils of victory could be divided equally among the forwards and backs.
Up against a strong Canterbury eight, Wairarapa-Bush did have the odd heart flutter at scrum and lineout time, and even had to play second fiddle on occasions in the battle for the loose ball, but they had the better of the forward exchanges. And no more so than in that telling last 20 minutes when it became a survival of the fittest.
Nothing exemplified better the resolve of the Wairarapa-Bush pack than the commitment displayed by hookers Richard Puddy and Jamie Hunt, on attack and defence. They were seen one minute charging at the opposition defence with ball in hand and then pulling off a vital tackle the next. Typifying the high work rate of the Wairarapa-Bush tight forwards was the impressive tackle rates of props Kurt Simmonds and Wilbur Davies. When it came to scrapping for maul ball there were few greater influences than locks Andrew McLean and Tom Fleming and gun loosies Johan Van Vliet and James Goodger. Also worthy of a mention was Lachie McFadzean who was quickly into the thick of things when subbing for McLean in the second spell.
This was a taxing game for the Wairarapa-Bush backs in terms of their defensive effort. South Canterbury had some talented ball runners, especially halfback Sekope Maea and dual try scorer, wing Alporasa Tabulawaki. They were adept at creating space from set piece play.
No doubt coaches Mark Rutene and Paddy Gough will have something to say in training about the number of first tackles missed and the paucity of cover defence at times but they will have been happy with the confidence shown by their rearguard in attacking situations.
Centre Jessie McGilvary and wing Cameron Hayton were perhaps the sharpest of them but halfbacks, Matt O'Connor and Inia Katia, and second five Titapu Pairama-Lewington all enhanced their reputations. There was a lot to like about the speed and determination shown by winger Nathan Hunt when he joined the action in the second half.
Then there was the goal kicking of Walters who missed a couple of easy ones early on but then banged them over with consistency when it mattered most.
Cameron Hayton and Johan Van Vliet scored tries for Wairarapa-Bush and Walters kicked six penalties and two conversions. Aporasa Tabulawaki (2) and Sekope Maea were the South Canterbury try scorers and Kurt Rooney landed two penalties.
Wairarapa-Bush will head to Gisborne next weekend to take on Lochore Cup holders Poverty Bay having won five matches in a row.
There is little doubt it will be a very different Poverty Bay team which will front up when championship points are at stake, evidenced by their 31-15 win over Horowhenua-Kapiti in their opener on Saturday.
Other Heartland results were: East Coast 23, West Coast 16; North Otago 31, King Country 30; Wanganui 24, Mid-Canterbury 23.