North Otago show class in 40-0 romp

North Otago dealt to one of their nearest NPC third division rugby challengers yesterday to keep up their average of 40-plus points a game and further shorten their odds for the title.

Horowhenua-Kapiti were expected to provide stiff opposition in the match of the round in Waikanae, having collected maximum points from their first three matches.

But North Otago were the only team on the park as they racked up a 40-0 win after a rampant first half where they piled on 26 points.

Their scrum was dominant, they controlled rucks and mauls well and their backs broke the line at will in the first half.

The floodgates opened when tryscoring machine Pila Fifita, a New Zealand divisional 15 representative last season, barged over out wide to score his ninth NPC try in four games.

Tries to fullback Luke Herden, replacement Mike Mavor and halfback Ryan McCarthy completed the first half damage.

Horowhenua's defence dug deep for most of the second half, but further tries to McCarthy and flanker Regan Gilder finished off a clinical performance.

King Country remained level on points with North Otago as they dispatched Poverty Bay 29-17 in Gisborne for their fourth win from five games.

North Otago though should claim the lead on their own next weekend against Wanganui at home while King Country have the bye.

King Country scored four tries in the last 22 minutes yesterday to bank five competition points, despite playing most of the game in their own half.

Poverty Bay led 10-6 at halftime after a grand try to speedy winger Eni Afoa and a penalty by first five-eighth Denis Hune.

The second half saw the visitors finally able to turn chances into points, with their four-try burst topped off by winger Junior Leota's late score.

Defending champions South Canterbury recorded their first win in Wanganui in 48 years as they beat the home side 21-16.

The visitors scored three tries to one, with a solid forward pack paving the way for just their second win of the season.

Wanganui started well but South Canterbury struck back to level 13-13 at halftime, and the winning try came from fullback Isaac Russell 15 minutes from time.

Wanganui though earned a bonus point to stay in the top four.

In Westport, a dynamic performance by the Buller forwards was the key to the home side's 32-24 defeat of Wairarapa-Bush.

Buller led 12-9 at halftime but took control in the second half, dominated the rucks and mauls and capitalised on the Wairarapa-Bush mistakes.

Buller opened up a 32-17 lead, thanks to a 22-point effort from goalkicker Sam Jack, and it was only a last minute try which brought Wairarapa-Bush back within range.

- NZPA