Rugby: Southerners throw form to winds in a stunner

Mid Canterbury revived their flagging playoff aspirations with a stunning win over Thames Valley in NPC second division rugby in Ashburton.

They scored six tries to crush the northerners 42-8, giving themselves a theoretical chance of making the top four.

In the biggest upset of the round - larger even than leaders Nelson Bays' 16-20 loss to Bay of Plenty in Rotorua - Mid Canterbury turned aside the form book to move into sixth place on 14 points.

Mid Canterbury, who have yet to have the bye, had every right to feel pleased after opening up a commanding 35-3 win with 30 minutes remaining.

They settled the contest in the opening 10 minutes of the second half when they piled on 21 points.

Mid Canterbury had hinted at a revival in the previous round when Nelson Bays struggled to beat them 17-13, but few expected them to cut loose against a Thames Valley side who had proven themselves a respectable force in the division this season.

Nelson Bays relinquished their unbeaten record after Bay of Plenty hit the lead for the first time 13 minutes into the second spell when hooker Thompson Tapsell completed a backline move to score a try out wide.

All of Bay of Plenty's remaining 15 points came courtesy of penalties from first five-eighth Justin Temara after Nelson Bays found themselves heavily penalised throughout the game.

The bonus point pocketed by Nelson Bays lifted them to 23 competition points and they remain in a prime position to earn a home semifinal.

Bay of Plenty are next on 18 points, alongside King Country who saw off Manawatu 25-11 in Te Kuiti after leading 14-0 at the end of the opening quarter.

Manawatu were a huge disappointment, hardly firing a shot throughout the match, although their forward pack proved competitive.

The other match proved a thriller when Marlborough scored two converted tries in the last six minutes to pip Wanganui 26-25 in Wanganui.

Marlborough were as good as dead and buried when behind 6-25 at halftime, but fine goalkicking from fullback David Hill, with 16 points, and late tries from Glenn Bunny and Ben Clarke, sealed an unlikely win.

- NZPA