KEY POINTS:
Wanganui issued a powerful warning to all other Heartland rugby contenders by walloping previously unbeaten Mid Canterbury 43-12 in Wanganui today.
Wanganui's wide range of attacking options meant that Mid Canterbury rarely looked like stopping the home side and lost the clash of the pool B table toppers seven tries to two.
The two Mid Canterbury tries came in the final minutes when Wanganui were a player short.
The island influence in Wanganui's attack was outstanding.
Fullback Asaeli Tikoirotuma was highly dangerous and snared a double while No 8 Ron Kotinvere was always a powerful threat with ball in hand.
Mid Canterbury showed littkle of the unusual in its attacking options and offered little danger through its powerful midfield.
Wanganui head the qualifiers for the Meads Cup and today's win suggests they will be extremely difficult to keep from a third Meads Cup final next month.
Wanganui 43 (Asaeli Tikoirotuma 2, Mike Fitzgerald 2, John Mow, Faalupou Soolefai, Ron Kotinvere tries; Mark Davis 4 con) Mid Canterbury 12 (Brenton O'Connell, John Dampney tries: Dampney con). Halftime: 26-0.
- NZPA
