Rugby: Wanganui dispose of East Coast

Wanganui rugby coach Guy Lennox will have a very strong message for his team next week despite a 41-6 Heartland Championship win over East Coast in Wanganui today.

The Heartland titleholders were far from their best, particularly in scrambling to a lead of 17-6 at halftime.

They eventually scored eight tries but Wanganui were well short of the standards they set last year.

Lennox estimated his side turned the ball over 23 times simply due to a lack of skill.

Pluses on a average day were the sound forward set pieces, a hat-trick of tries for Wellington-based second five-eighth Fraser Middleton and a strong start from big centre Vance Pereka.

Blindside flanker Fraser Hammond and lock Jon Smyth were the best of the home side's forwards.

Wanganui 41 (Fraser Middleton 3, Asaeli Tikoirotuma 2, Waisake Ratanideuba, Leon Mason, Steelie Koro tries; Denning Tyrell 3 con) East Coast 6 (William Milham 2 pen). Halftime: 17-6.

- NZPA