KEY POINTS:
A lone second-half try to Buller winger Mitieli Kaloudigibeci carried the visitors to a 20-19 upset of West Coast in a Heartland championship rugby match in Greymouth today.
Kaloudigibeci dodged several defenders to score beside the posts 10 minutes after halftime and the conversion by Nathan Thompsn gave Buller a one-point advantage they clung to.
The first half was dominated by the bigger Coast side although their neighbours scored first through a Thompson penalty.
West Coast had the first try when gliding winger Maleli Tora skipped around opposition Marcus Taylor to score in the corner.
A second try for the hosts came via the forwards when Lasa Ulukuta collected an offload from Eroni Uluiborutu and found Ofa Misa for a 12-3 lead.
Buller defended stoutly and scored through a penalty and a chip-and-chase try to Taylor although that was spoiled just before the break by Tora's second try.
Buller 20 (Marcus Taylor, Mitieli Kaloudigibeci tries; Nathan Thompson 2 pen, 2 con) West Coast 19 (Maleli Tora 2, Ofa Misa tries; Corey Simpson 2 con). Halftime: 13-19.
- NZPA
