Rugby: Shield stays with Waikato

4:30 PM

Waikato has retained the Ranfurly Shield with a 52-14 thrashing of Northland in Hamilton this afternoon.

The Mooloos scored 7 tries to 2, meaning they gain maximum NPC points from the clash as well.

Northland skipper Glen Taylor said Waikato were just too slick on the day, and his team was simply outplayed.

In today's other first division clash, Taranaki beat Southland 27-24 in Invercargill.

Hawkes Bay has beaten Nelson Bays 33-27 in a thrilling NPC second division match in Napier.

Meanwhile King Country edged out Wanganui 28-27, Manawatu beat Thames Valley 23-15 and Marlborough downed Mid Canterbury 17-8.

In the NPC third division, Poverty Bay thumped West Coast 51-6, East Coast overcame South Canterbury 20- 14, Wairarapa Bush beat North Otago 20-15 and Buller blew a 24-nil halftime lead to draw 24-all with Horowhenua.

- IRN