Rugby: West Coast march to Lochore Cup final

West Coast defied expectations by handing fierce Heartland championship rivals Buller an old fashioned 53-22 hiding in their Lochore Cup semifinal today.

Home town hooker Rowan O'Gorman had the game of his life at Greymouth's Rugby Park, with a hattrick of tries, spearheading the charge in front of a 1500-strong crowd -- the biggest of the season.

In-form winger Luke Hughes ticked over the first points of the game, scoring under the sticks after nice link play from Tere Wycliff and Josh Cornish.

Buller first five-eighth Nathan Thompson knocked over a penalty in reply but second five-eighth Jared Cropper provided the response with a nice inside step and try to take the score to 14-3 with Cornish's second conversion.

O'Gorman had his first of three tries from a nifty blindside draw and pass maneouvre with his captain James Ferguson in the right corner.

Cornish slotted a drop goal before No 8 Wycliff dotted down off a grubber kick through the defensive line.

Lock Ben Coman took one back for Buller, Thompson converting, but at 31-10 at halftime the game was all but over.

Two tries to O'Gorman, as well as groundings by centre James Ward and lock Brad Houston rammed things home for West Coast before Matt Bonisch and Craig Moore crossed for consolation Buller tries.

West Coast 53 (Rowan O'Gorman 3, Luke Hughes, Jared Cropper, Tere Wycliff, James Ward, Brad Houston tries; Josh Cornish 5 con, dropped goal) Buller 22 (Ben Coman, Matt Bonisch, Craig Moore tries; Nathan Thompson pen, 2 con). Halftime 31-10.

- NZPA