It was supposed to be a festive occasion to see an NZRL National Premiership game played on Wanganui's premier sports ground, but there was little to smile about for the local supporters of the Central Vipers after a 42-4 hammering by a superior Wellington Orcas outfit yesterday.
There was still a ragged cheer from Whanganui Boxon supporters as their big centre Che Barlow crashed over out wide with time up on the clock to grab a consolation four-pointer.
But before that moment his side had been all at sea in a second half where they could not hold the Wellingtonians, nor keep possession through full sets of six during their rare chances inside enemy territory.
The Vipers, who along with Barlow had Boxon's Steelie Koro and Jordan Davis in their ranks, would have rated their chances when they were only 6-0 down with 14 minutes left till halftime, but back-to-back tries just before the break set the tone for the second stanza.
In total, the Orcas scored eight tries and converted five on a profitable day.