The Air Chathams Wanganui Under 18s wrapped up a satisfying season with their second straight win on the road, beating Wairarapa Bush U18 47-34 in Masterton on Saturday.
For the Wanganui players, the curtain raiser game to the Mitre 10 Heartland clash at Memorial Park was their first time playingon an artificial turf.
"There was a really high pace, high tempo on that surface," said coach Jerome McCrea.
Winger Duan Marino scored a hat trick of tries, while fullback Adam Boult got a double.
Centre Cody Hemi, winger Luke Foster, halfback Griffin Culver and flanker Dylan Bowater scored the other tries.
McCrea said the midfield trio of Hemi, first-five Mitchell Millar and second-five Blair Osborne were able to breach the defence all game, once the pack got them some go forward.
Foster and Boult also made some great runs.
The win completed a good HYRC Series for Wanganui, who only lost to the Wellington Samoans and had back-to-back road wins over Poverty Bay and Wairarapa Bush, after the home victory over Horowhenua-Kapiti as well as beating Thames Valley in preseason.
