U-20 squad winners in wind

While there was misery in the Pink Batts Heartland Championship match, a couple of the wider Steelform Wanganui squad members could hold their heads high as the Wanganui Under 20s brought at least one more trophy back to Cooks Gardens with a 30-3 win over Poverty Bay in the curtain raiser.

The Under 20s showed that the wind could be harnessed properly in the Hurricanes B final, led by first-five Tyler Rodgers-Holden who was a late addition after being bracketed on the Wanganui seniors bench with Josh Edwards until Friday.

Rodgers-Holden made the initial incisive breaks that led to tries by winger Hoani Pahl-Long and flanker Michael Thompson, the latter finishing off after a brilliant pop pass by player of the day No8 Michael Thompson gave hooker Viki Tofa the momentum.

Second-five Ethan Bailey added a penalty and then right on halftime halfback Kaya Houltham went himself to dot down for a crucial converted try as Wanganui led 20-0 having to turn and face the gail breeze which could take a simple chip kick on halfway right to the dead ball line.

Turning into that wind, Wanganui pretty much had to shelve their kicking game and just ran it out from their 22m zone at every opportunity, which is the area Poverty Bay let themselves down with dropped ball, bad passes and poor scrummaging.

First-five Heke Buchanan added a penalty for 20-3 after 58 minutes but what his team needed were tries.

It was another Wanganui senior squad member in Robert Lavin, playing flanker, who broke Poverty Bay's back as he led the chase when the home team hacked a loose ball ahead and fed fullback Ihaia Tai to dash away for the matchwinner in the 69th minute.

Wanganui wrapped up the title as big lock Tawhio Gupwell smashed his way over from a lineout in the final minute.

Lifting the cup saw Wanganui U20 finish in the black for season 2013.

After a heavy first up loss 42-7 to Manawatu Maori, Wanganui beat Horowhenua Kapiti U20 33-20, then Poverty Bay U20 36-17.

They stumbled against Waiarapa-Bush U20 21-17, but still went on to make and win the B Final.