KEY POINTS:
East Coast's rugby woes continued with a 46-5 loss to South Canterbury today though the Heartland Championship's whipping boys at least gave their dwindling faithful some record with just their second try of a wretched rugby season.
Tau Henare managed a consolation try five minutes from fulltime at Whakarua Park in Ruatoria, just East Coast's second in seven matches.
The losing streak was always destined to continue however, as South Canterbury rebounded from last weekend's 15-19 loss to Poverty Bay with a polished performance.
They led 17-0 and then constructed a four-try blitz in the third quarter to power clear.
First five-eighth Richie Preston bagged a hattrick while right winger Tafutu Nua marked his first appearance for South Canterbury with a try on debut.
South Canterbury lock Tuita Tauelangi did not make the scoresheet but the rangy second rower was involved in six of the eight tries.
South Canterbury 46 (Richie Preston 3, Tevita Latu, Tafutu Nua, Paul Coles, Fainga'a Savieti, Eric Smith tries; Scott Norton 3 con)
East Coast 5 (Tau Henare try).
Halftime: 17-0
- NZPA
