Abyss yawns for Bush

Wairarapa-Bush's Heartland season went from bad to worse on Saturday when they were toppled 31-17 by Horowhenua-Kapiti at Levin Domain
The result means Wairarapa-Bush, favourites at the start of the Lochore Cup, now stand a real chance of missing out on the semi-finals, depending on other results.
If they manage to knock over King Country they will make the semis, though not necessarily at home, but if they lose they will be crossing their fingers that Buller are not able to take down a resurgent West Coast, who won again on Saturday.
If Buller fail to win, Wairarapa-Bush will squeak through to the semis.
Saturday's result blew Wairarapa-Bush away in more ways than one. Horowhenua-Kapiti, with the aid of a healthy wind, took a 17-10 lead into the halftime break.
Wairarapa-Bush fans, picking the wind advantage to be worth at least 14 points, wouldn't have been too worried at that stage. While there had been defensive lapses leading to Horowhenua-Kapiti tries in the first spell, the wind had been a factor that Wairarapa fans hoped their team could benefit from in the second spell.
Wairarapa had competed well in the first half, attacking from the outset. But they conceded early penalties, which forced them back into their own territory before halfback James Bruce got a break and flicked it out to winger Junior Togia who was nabbed just short of the line.
Horowhenua-Kapiti managed to clear off their line, only for Togia to come rampaging back at them, busting through at least three tackles before just falling short again.
In the 14th minute the intensity of the Wairarapa-Bush start told when Horowhenua conceded a penalty from a handy distance for Jeremy Te Huia to convert.
Josh Hamilton evened the scores with a penalty for the home team just five minutes later.
From the resulting kick-off, the ball was collected by Horowhenua-Kapiti centre Semisi Fotu, who broke the Wairarapa line and ran 25 metres before passing inside to a flying Tim Mowbray to score.
Hamilton converted to put Horowhenua ahead 10-3.
Twenty-five minutes into the match Fotu again broke the line 20 metres out to scamper over for Horowhenua's second try, which Hamilton also converted.
Wairarapa-Bush showed some fighting spirit to come back in the 33rd minute with a well-deserved try to Byron Karaitiana after a bustling run by Rupeni Tamani which Te Huia converted to make the score 17-10.
Wairarapa had its moments in the second spell, but were unable to utilise the wind or really break the resolve of a mighty Horowhenua defensive effort.
Despite several times being camped deep in Horowhenua territory, Wairarapa were unable to convert their domination into points. It was Horowhenua who scored when with 16 minutes to go Hamilton intercepted the ball with Wairarapa hot on attack and cantered 40m to the line.
With 10 minutes to go Wairarapa conceded a penalty try for interference.
Hamilton was on form again to convert and Wairarapa were down 31-10.
A consolation try minutes from the end to replacement Tommy Harmon, converted by Te Huia, was too little, too late.
To be fair, the score didn't reflect the closeness of this match. Though Wairarapa-Bush are still hampered by defensive and handling lapses, it wasn't all bad.
For long periods of the game they gave as good as they got and, with luck, could have picked up three or four tries. That they didn't, speaks more for the dogged and, at times, desperate Horowhenua-Kapiti defence.
James Bruce was the pick of the Wairarapa-Bush backs, delivering great ball from the back of the scrum and making several terrier-like runs of his own.
In the forwards Mana Faraimo imposed his presence from No 8, Josh Tua-Davidson was sound on the flank and the front row of captain Joe Harwood, Dylan Higginson and Kurt Simmonds gave solid performances.
Horowhenua Kapiti 31 (Tim Mowbray, Semisi Fotu, Josh Hamilton tries, penalty try; Hamilton 4 con, pen) Wairarapa-Bush 17 (Byron Karaitiana, Tommy Harmon tries, Jeremy Te Huia 2 con, pen)