Rugby: New twists in tight 2nd Division race

The second division of the NPC again looks likely to be the most closely contested of the three, with little separating the top seven teams after three rounds of rugby.

Hawkes Bay and Manawatu lost their unbeaten records at the weekend, while Bay of Plenty showed their ability in the wet to stay unbeaten after two outings.

Bay of Plenty sit two points off the pace with a game in hand. Manawatu, Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and King Country have all had one loss from three games.

Bay of Plenty beat Hawkes Bay 19-8 in Tauranga, with both teams managing just one try.

Marlborough downed Manawatu 22-18 in the wet in Palmerston North, with all the points scored in the first half when the lead changed hands several times.

A second try on fulltime to centre Dwayne Kemp sealed a 26-17 home win for Wanganui over Thames Valley.

Valley enjoyed an early lead through their taller and heavier forwards, but the tacky and soft surface took its toll later in the match.

The home team finished the first spell 18-11 ahead but had to repel a strong Thames Valley challenge in the second half, when the visitors twice closed to within four points.

The match-clinching try came on fulltime when Thames Valley unsuccessfully tried to move the ball from behind their own goalposts and Kemp raced through for the winner.

King Country got their second win with a solid 30-13 effort over Mid Canterbury in Ashburton.

- NZPA