Heartland champs remain tight

Wanganui lock Sonny Woodmass comes to grips with South Canterbury prop Timaru Tafa at Cooks Gardens. PHOTOS: STUART MUNRO.070913WCSMRUGBY5.

The close nature of the 2013 Pink Batts Heartland championship could not be more evident than in the fact Steelform Wanganui's crucial victory in the third round has not improved their position on the points table after another weekend of close matches.

Also in the position of literally having to save their campaign, North Otago snatched their first victory of the season when they held defending Meads Cup champions East Coast at bay in their Ruatoria fortress, winning 25-23.

In a year when the gap in quality is all but closed, it was the East Coast's first loss at home in three seasons.

The big game was down in Ashburton as the two leading unbeaten teams Mid Canterbury and Wairarapa Bush went at it hammer and tongs, with the home team coming from behind at halftime to win 29-23.

Murray Williams was in great form with the boot for the home side, landing 19 points from five penalties and converting both tries from winger Dwayne Burrows.

Thames Valley leapfrogged the Bush for second spot on the ladder by beating Buller 23-18 in Paeroa.

Like Wanganui and North Otago, Horowhenua Kapiti also got on deck for 2013 by ending King Country's great run, squeaking by them 19-18 in Levin.

The only comprehensive victory was by West Coast in Greymouth, as former four-time Lochore Cup winners Poverty Bay appear to be the bunnies of this year's competition, going down 30-14.

Still, Wanganui travel to play Poverty Bay in Gisborne this Saturday and if coach Karl Hoskin and his team have learned anything in the past three weeks, it's that you cannot take any opponent lightly.