Rugby: Second spell seals game

Thames Valley produced a solid second spell to comfortably defeat Poverty Bay 37-14 in a non-championship rugby game at Waihi.

For both teams, it was their last shakedown before they start their respective NPC campaigns.

Third division Poverty Bay made the most of their first-half opportunities with two tries by centre Willie Cardwell. Second division Thames Valley relied on three penalties by winger Aaron Steel to make the halftime score 14-9 to the visitors. The home side opened the second half with two tries.

Steel sealed the game with another two penalties before two late tries capped off a good second-half effort.