Playoff spot still in side's grasp

A strong travelling contingent of supporters watched on tenterhooks as Steelform Wanganui squeezed past Horowhenua Kapiti on Saturday afternoon to retain the Bruce Steel Rugby Cup.

Heartland Championship playoff rugby will come to Cooks Gardens a week early this Saturday as Wanganui's bonus-point win in Levin has left them an outside chance of fourth spot after an intriguing seventh round.

Likewise having had a tough start to their campaign, North Otago are now running hot as they are the first team to leave Greymouth unbowed this season with a 32-22 victory over an in-form West Coast, comfortably moving up to third spot.

West Coast were only able to score one try and as a result, Wanganui now sit only four points behind them heading into their final round clash.

Should Wanganui beat West Coast either while scoring four tries or at least denying their visitors any bonus points then they will go ahead of them to fourth as it is the head-to-head winner that gets preference if two teams finish tied on the table.

However, the big spoiler in all of this will be Buller, as they remain a point ahead of Wanganui in fifth spot after another big win on the road beating Poverty Bay 34-21 in Gisborne.

Buller will host top of the table Mid Canterbury in Westport and should they finish tied with Wanganui on the table, the 15-11 victory on August 31 will carry them through.

However, Mid Canterbury also need the win to claim top spot on the ladder, given Wairarapa Bush face Thames Valley in Paeroa while North Otago should have a straight forward assignment at home in Oamaru against Horowhenua Kapiti.

There is still a tonne on the line for so many teams after the weekend results.

Mid Canterbury comfortably disposed of Thames Valley 44-11, while South Canterbury had their biggest win of the year over King Country, 56-29.

East Coast were leading Wairarapa Bush in Masterton, but two red cards put paid to their chances and they lost 44-31.

Thames Valley and East Coast still have a chance at earning a Lochore Cup semifinal spot, while Mid Canterbury, Wairarapa Bush and North Otago will hunt a table-topping finish to give themselves a shot at two Meads Cup playoff games at home.

Wanganui is really stuck in the swing position.

After playing West Coast, the outcome will determine if they get an away Meads Cup semifinal, a home Lochore Cup semifinal, or even have to settle for an away Lochore game all based on other results elsewhere.