East Coast made sure they will stay in the second division next season by scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat Mid-Canterbury at Ruatoria's Whakarua Park.
The 27-9 victory also means their prospects of making the semifinals are more than a dream. They and Hawkes Bay have extended
their lead at the top after five and four matches respectively in the nine-team competition.
East Coast were in the third division last season, and have clearly moved away from the danger of dropping back.
Hawkes Bay lead with 20 points followed by East Coast 19 and then Nelson Bays, who scored a 47-22 win over Wanganui in Nelson, with 16.
The upset in the division was caused by Marlborough, who beat Manawatu 18-17 at Blenheim, although Manawatu scored three tries to two. That moved Marlborough to fifth spot on the points table, with 11, two behind Manawatu.
Fullback Tim Manawatu kicked 21 points as Hawkes Bay kept their lead in the division. The 19-year-old former Buller representative had a 100 per cent goalkicking success rate with six conversions, two penalties and a drop-goal in Hawkes Bay's 51-22 win against Thames Valley at McLean Park.
In the third division, leaders Buller outclassed West Coast 27-8. West Coast had two players, prop Jason Ryan and hooker Jamie Whitcombe, ordered off for fighting.
Buller are four points ahead of Poverty Bay, who came from behind to down Horowhenua Kapiti 30-18. North Otago retained the Hanan Shield and picked up five points by beating South Canterbury 43-19.
- NZPA
