Wanganui side shines in lead-in showdown

The Wanganui Development side just keeps right on rolling in their RDO Cup campaign after a 58-19 mauling of the Wellington Under-21 Centurions in the Cooks Gardens curtain-raiser on Saturday afternoon.

Playing in fair weather before light rain petered in during the Pink Batts Heartland Championship game, Wanganui scored eight tries to three, pulling away with the match in the second half as winger Tom Symes and flanker Bobo Ulukuta were able to get into open pasture and turn on the gas.

Symes would finish with a hat-trick, while Ulukuta and fullback Isireli Baleitavuki grabbed a double each.

Interestingly, Steelform Wanganui wider squad halfback Kane Tamou emulated William Short's effort of the previous weekend against Horowhenua Kapiti Development, scoring two tries.

Short was preferred ahead of Tamou for the Heartland team bench this week.

Another wider squad member in Kieran Hussey got the eighth try.

Over at Palmerston North's Iranz ground, Wanganui Under-20 picked up their second big win in as many weeks in the HRHC competition, thumping Horowhenua-Kapiti 57-12

-Wanganui Development B Team 58 (Tom Symes 3, Bobo Ulukuta 2, Kane Tamou 2, Isireli Baleitavuki 2, Kieran Hussey tries, Te Tua Kemp 2 con, Jaye Flaws con, Baleitavuki con) bt Wellington Under-21 Centurions 19 (Aaki Tuangau, Jarick Robati, Ryan Preston tries, Liam Forbes 2 con). HT:27-12.