Rugby: Wanganui retain Meads Cup

Wanganui came from behind to beat Mid Canterbury 34-13 in the Meads Cup rugby final at Christchurch today to retain the trophy.

Trailing 0-13 after a first half in which little went right for them, the defending champions stormed back to score 24 unanswered points in the first 25 minutes of the second half.

A dropped goal from first five-eighth Leon Mason followed by a converted try to substitute Vance Pereka inside the last 8min was just the icing on the cake for Wanganui.

Hosting a final for the first time, Mid Canterbury deservedly led at halftime after two penalties and a conversion from first five-eighth Kieran Lindsay and a try by fullback Richard Fridd.

Opting to run the ball at every opportunity from the kickoff, Wanganui were met by a watertight line of Mid Canterbury defenders who regularly turned possession over.

Lindsay, the competition's leading points scorer with 115 entering the match, kicked an early penalty to open accounts.

Fridd's converted try came after Wanganui were subjected to an extended period of pressure.

Lindsay added another penalty to complete scoring in the first half but would rue another three easier attempts that went astray.

Wanganui looked a different side in the second stanza.

They struck quickly with a try to blindside flanker Fraser Hammond, who finished off a patient buildup by the forwards close to the tryline.

With Mid Canterbury tiring, play opened up as Wanganui finally hit the lead when Steelie Koro chipped the ball through for fellow midfielder Asaeli Tikoirotuma to collect and muscle through for a well-engineered converted try.

Halfback Denning Tyrell was in fine kicking form, kicking a penalty and four conversions today to end the season with 106 points.

Big No 8 Lasa Ulukuta was next to score another converted try and atone for being sinbinned early in the first half after committing a spear tackle.

At 24-13 and just another 15min to go, Mid Canterbury, who had lost just one game all season before today, ran out of fizz and allowed Wanganui to end the season in style with Mason's dropped goal and Pereka's try.

Mid Canterbury captain James Carr said his side knew Wanganui would come out harder, faster and hungrier in the second half.

``That's exactly what they did. Defence was the key for them in the first half and then they came out and attacked in the second.

``They got a couple of lucky breaks and scored, made some good tackles and there was nothing we could do about it.'

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