Other standouts were loose forward Kieran Hussey and first-five Te Tua Kemp.
Development will now complete the trifecta of playing neighbouring Under 19 teams when they meet Hawkes Bay at home this weekend.
Further down in Levin, an understrength Wanganui Under 20 side came away with a big 35-5 victory over Horowhenua Kapiti U20.
The front row of Ruapehu props in captain Gabriel Hakaraia and Regan Calder, along with hooker Todd Parkinson of Taihape, stood up well.
Coach Denis Edwards said they were still without five players from the St Johns club Wanganui Metro side, who were playing their Manawatu Colts semifinal against Wanganui High School 1st XV the same day.
"We were running pretty short, we only had the bare team.
"One boy got snowed in at Taihape, and another got trapped by slips in Ngamatapouri.
"It was a good hit out for the boys - first time they'd been together as a group, some of them didn't know each other's names."
The win was a confidence boost for the start of the Hurricanes Under 20 tournament this coming weekend, where Wanganui will now have some key players like Ruslan Casey come back into the side.
"Once we get the [Metro] Colts in there, it will give us more options," said Edwards.
"But yesterday [Saturday] the forwards were too strong, and the backs were good too."
The tournament will be at the Massey University grounds in Palmerston North.
