Rugby: Coasters find it tough in south

THIRD DIVISION

East Coast coach Joe McClutchie was not surprised with South Canterbury's aggressive approach as his team took a tumble in the national third division rugby championship in Timaru.

Their 6-12 loss to the hosts meant they lost the joint lead with neighbours Poverty Bay, whom they face next Saturday.

"It was tough in the south and it'll be even tougher in the local derby this week," McClutchie said.

East Coast beat Poverty Bay in the final last year to win the third-division title, but Poverty Bay now have a settled look which is reflected in their results.

They took a bonus point in beating Buller 35-3 to slip into a clear lead in the competition with 16 points, followed by Wairarapa Bush, who also earned a bonus point in their 43-6 win over West Coast to climb into second spot with 14 points.

North Otago also grabbed a bonus point with a surprisingly big win, 35-10, over Horowhenua Kapiti, to share third spot with East Coast on 12 points, followed by South Canterbury on 10.

South Canterbury kicked four penalties through John Ellis to two for East Coast's Manu Flutey.

Poverty Bay picked up their bonus point in the 64th minute when right winger Theo Jones scored the fourth of their five tries in a one-sided and niggly game.

First-half tries to fullback Warren Banks, Jones and No 8 Stu Ensor, all converted by first five-eighths Sam Howe, gave Poverty Bay a 21-3 lead by halftime.

However, playing with a strong wind at their backs in the second half, they failed to ram home their advantage until the introduction of second five-eighths Maurice Kerekere for the injured Mike Morrissey.

Within a minute of coming on, Kerekere made a break and passed to Banks, who drew the last defender, before giving Jones a clear run to the line.

Centre Willie Lardelli then capped a good game with a try seven minutes from fulltime.

In Oamaru, North Otago scored four tries in difficult conditions, including three during a five-minute period in the last quarter.

Wairarapa Bush, as expected, are building up nicely to the playoffs.

They totally dominated the action in the first 40 minutes to score six tries and lead 43-0.

But West Coast called the tune in the second half and deserved more than just six points.

They camped in Wairarapa Bush territory for all but the last five minutes.

- NZPA