KEY POINTS:
King Country hit top gear in sunny Te Aroha today, dismantling Thames Valley 33-12 in a one-sided Heartland championship rugby match.
Dominating territory in the first quarter, the visitors opened their account with a try to first five-eighth Hone Wanden and never looked like relinquishing it.
Both sides scored tries before halftime, with King Country's advantage reduced early in the second spell when hard-running winger Lance Easton scored for the hosts.
However, King Country then hit overdrive, scoring three excellent tries, largely through some swift backline work.
The last try was a beauty created on halfway by Hona, who offloaded to Sam Mason who then scissored with fellow-flanker and tryscorer Jarrod Needham.
The King Country tight five was hungry throughout, with lock Jamal Hona damaging in close.
The best for Thames Valley were Easton, lock Nick Purcell and replacement flanker Filo Taituuga.
King Country 33 (Hone Wanden, Tony Chamberlain, Bruce Huata, Solo Korovata, Jared Needham tries; Jarred Murrell 4 con) Thames Valley 12 (Joseph Murray, Lance Easton tries; David Harrison con). Halftime: 12-7.
- NZPA
