KEY POINTS:
Wairarapa Bush scored seven unanswered tries to open their Heartland rugby championship campaign with a 46-0 win over West Coast in Masterton today.
Centre Simanu Simanu scored two as the homeside proved too strong all over the park for the hapless West Coast team.
"It was a solid all round performance and I think it was our first half game that really set the platform," Wairarapa Bush co-coach Graeme Cheetham said.
Wairarapa led 29-0 at halftime and maintained the pressure on the West Coasters in the second half to close the game off by the third quarter.
Wairarapa Bush 46 (Simanu Simanu 2, Heemi Tu Paea, Lance Stevenson, Daniel Griffen, Jordan Fox, Jon Guillard tries; John Dodd pen, 3 con, Simanu con), West Coast 0. Halftime: 29-0.
Winger Laauli Sapau crossed twice to help lift King Country to a 34-13 win over Horowhenua-Kapiti in the opening round of the Heartland rugby championship in Levin today.
They scored five tries to one to kick off their campaign with maximum points.
Craig Bell, Richard Deed and Adrian Brown scored the other tries for King Country and Deed added three conversions and Jared Murrell a penalty goal.
Wairarapa led 21-6 at halftime.
Horohwhenua's only try came from Ashley Drake, with Dion Nepia converting it and adding two penalties.
Scores
Wairarapa Bush 46 (Simanu Simanu 2, Heemi Tu Paea, Lance Stevenson, Daniel Griffen, Jordan Fox, Jon Guillard tries; John Dodd pen, 3 con, Simanu con), West Coast 0. Halftime: 29-0.
King Country 34 (Laauli Sapau 2, Craig Bell, Richard Deed, Adrian Brown tries; Jared Murrell pen; Deed 3 con), Horowhenua Kapiti 13 (Ashley Drake try; Dion Nepia 2 pen, con). Halftime: 21-6.
- NZPA
