Wanganui open with home win

Two tries from left winger David Kereti helped Wanganui open the NPC third division rugby campaign with a thrilling 33-20 home win over Wairarapa-Bush today.

Kereti's two tries enabled Wanganui to hold a slender 16-13 halftime lead.

Further tries to right winger Raymond Lee Mason and new centre Tupae Pati in the second spell saw Wanganui collect a bonus point.

Wairarapa-Bush, with a much heavier forward pack, looked dangerous midway through the second spell when only three points separated the sides.

But a try from former Western Samoan international Tupae Pati 16 minutes from fulltime enabled Wanganui to regain control.

Although Wairarapa-Bush looked dangerous at times the Wanganui backline combined better.

The best of Wanganui team were new halfback Jesse Westerlund, Pati, who scored 15 points, and Kereti in the backs plus flanker Ray Stark, lock Brendon Back and prop Kelly Finnigan in the forwards.

Hooker Jason Adamson, lock Norm Henricksen, halfback Justin Lett and centre Simanu Simanu all went well for Wairarapa-Bush.

Wanganui 33 (David Kereti 2, Raymond Lee Mason, Tupae Pati tries; Pati 2 pen, 2 con; Frank Lene pen)

Wairarapa 20 (Joe Collins, Patrick Rimene tries; Rimene 2 pen 2 con). Halftime: 16-13.

- NZPA