Southern victories turn the tables

FILL IN: Stand-in veteran forward Jon Smyth did a stand-up job as a temporary replacement for injured flanker Daniel Fitzgerald during Wanganui's 40-10 drubbing of North Otago in Oamaru on Saturday.PHOTO/BRAYDEN LINDSAY OAMARU MAIL JOHN-SMYTH-2

STEELFORM Wanganui's fantastic victory in Oamaru was part of another weekend for rapid shifts on the points table as North Otago took a tumble while 2015 Meads Cup runners-up Buller are now struggling.

Buller was pipped 14-13 at home in Westport by Wairarapa Bush, losing their 13-0 halftime lead and the visitors scored tries through Kody Thompson and Nick Olson, while Tim Priest, familiar with the ground as a former West Coast player, converted twice.

The result leaves Buller three points adrift of the top eight and was a sad way for legendary stalwart Phil Beveridge to play his 150th match.

After two narrow losses, Horowhenua Kapiti finally delivered on their promise with a 54-26 disposal of Poverty Bay at their second home ground of Waikanae.

Dave Thompson scored a double, as did goal kicker Luke Harvey as part of an impressive 29-point haul - converting all six tries and landing four penalties.

South Canterbury continue climbing after their 40-24 victory over a competitive West Coast in Timaru, pulling away with the game with three more tries in the second half after taking a narrow 19-17 advantage into the break.

Tellingly, both Wanganui and South Canterbury move up as their only blemishes have been against the unbeaten Mid Canterbury, and the defending Meads Cup title holders made it three in a row when they held off King Country 25-17 in Ashburton. Stung by the injury to standout first-five Murray Williams, Mid Canterbury were not as dominant but their fill-in first-five Ewan Scott made 15 points from a try and four kicks.

In Paeroa, Thames Valley had no problems with East Coast, winning 50-13.