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A five-try haul by Heartland wider-squad member Simon Dibben and a much more concerted effort in applying themselves were the standout features of the Wanganui Development team's 79-19 destruction of the Wellington Maori Colts in the opening game of their RDO Shield campaign on Saturday.
The bright spot on an otherwise gloomy day for local supporters at Cooks Gardens, the curtain-raiser saw the Wanganui outside backs in wingers Dibben, Semi Radradra and fullback Samu Kubunavanua running rough-shod over their smaller opposition.
The contrast in allocation of player talent and resources in the capital was clear as the Maori Colts were not a shadow of the bulky Wellington U19 team who had comfortably beaten Development the week before.
However, the make-up of their opposition was not Wanganui's concern - what was more important was lifting their own standards and here they showed considerable improvement.
While a number of passes were still erratic, particularly when it became clear the Colts simply couldn't mark up, the handling was noticeably more solid, thereby saving potential lost opportunities and allowing the next phase.
Given licence to live in the backline, Kubunavanua and his Fijian brethren tore the diminutive-looking Colt outside backs apart, both down the tramlines and through the middle of the park.
Dibben opened his account with Wanganui's second try in the ninth minute, following captain Kieran Hussey's opener, and after that only prop Manu Hearing collecting a loose ball close to the line would be a forward's try.
Dibben, who is likely to find himself in the frame for the Heartland lineup this Saturday, scored back-to-back tries after the half-time break, despite the momentary distraction of some feeble tackling attempts.
First-five Areta Lama called his own shots and even found risky grubber kicks inside Wanganui's half could be regathered for waltz-away tries.
Development coach Shane Ratima will still take some 'work-ons' out of the match as a couple of Wanganui fumbles and a series of penalties opened things up for Colts' No8 Dominic Trewavas, winger Wiremu Taui and lock Dan McCool to score consolation five-pointers.
But none could stop Dibben, who just ran around his markers in the middle of the field for two more tries, actually jogging slightly away from the posts as he crossed the line for his fifth to give secondary goal-kicker Kane Tamou a little more of a challenge after his first three conversions were right in front.
Dibben could even have had a sixth try at the end of the game, yet gave a generous pass with the line open, only to see it spilled.
Wanganui Development 79 (S Dibben 5, A Lama 2, K Hussey, S Kubunavanua, S Naqiso, M Hearing, S Radradra, M Andrews tries; K Tamou 4 con, S Ulukuta 3 con) bt Wellington Maori Colts 19 (D Trewavas, W Taui, D McCool tries; L Grace 2 con). HT: 41-0.