By Mark Medlicott

South Canterbury sit tied at the top of the Heartland Championship after beating Buller 38-27 in Timaru.

After four of eight rounds South Canterbury, North Otago and West Coast all have 18 points, with the 'Green and Blacks' on top courtesy of a superior points difference.

Defending champions Thames Valley sit in fourth on 16 points while beaten Buller are only three points adrift of the leaders tied in fifth with Wairarapa Bush.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

South Canterbury take on Buller at Alpine Energy Stadium on Saturday.

Showing just how tight the table contest is Wanganui and Poverty Bay are only one bonus point win away from the top meaning eight teams are within five points at the halfway stage of the championship.

READ MORE: SC's Heartland rugby campaign

South Canterbury have won one less game than North Otago and West Coast but the draw against Mid Canterbury and collecting bonus points have proved crucial.

ADVERTISEMENT

Advertise with Stuff

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

Willie Wright about to score in Saturday's game against Buller.

At Alpine Energy Stadium, on Saturday, South Canterbury looked the better side through out but could not shake off the tenacious Buller, who kept coming back at them.

Buller's usually reliable kicker James Lash took until his fifth conversion to land one but he was certainly their key component in general play.

However, as South Canterbury led 28-20 just after halftime the difference was Wille Wright's four successful conversions.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

The teams in action on Saturday.

South Canterbury got away to a flyer with centre Shayne Anderson scoring with only 1 minute 19 seconds gone after he stepped defenders close to the line.

Buller replied shortly after when a pin point pass from Lash gave second Michael Wells a chance on the left hand touchline and he crashed over.

Wing Brad Tunnicliffe and Wright both scored for South Canterbury after breakouts in their own half, with Wright backing up after a great run from fullback Zac Saunders.

JOHN BISSET/STUFF

South Canterbury looked the better side through out Saturday's game but could not shake off a tenacious Buller team, who kept coming back at them.

Buller wing Mitieli Kaloudigibeci closed the gap to 21-10 after Lash went through a hole and again delivered a great pass.

South Canterbury then had the four try bonus point before halftime when Tunnicliffe grabbed his second try after a chip and chase to give South Canterbury a comfortable 28-15 lead, with a minute left in the half.

However, that was enough time for Buller to reply through Petala Saukuru after Lash took a quick penalty and delivered a perfect wide pass to his left winger.

Buller got off to a flyer in the second half scoring inside a minute when prop Jareth Mackay went over after a great run from Lash.

South Canterbury again extended their lead through Saunders after some good interplay between the midfielders Joel Smith and Anderson.

Midway through the half Buller thought they had scored through replacement wing Joel Hands but he was ruled touch in goal however they were back shortly afterwards when Saukuru grabbed his second on the opposite wing.

Lash's first successful conversion put Buller within six points and the pressure went back on South Canterbury.

Wright tried to get South Canterbury's advantage out to nine points but his penalty attempt from 40m-plus fell short.

Tunnicliffe however eased home fans' fears with a superb run and his inside pass found fullback Saunders who fell over the line to give South Canterbury a deserved win.

For South Canterbury first five Miles Medlicott direct play well with centre Anderson showing great strength.

Tunnicliffe and Saunders also showed their speed and skill while left wing Clarence Moli diffused the high ball well.

Up front Tokoma'ata Fakatava and Ben Hewitson played well with locks Reegan O'Gorman getting through plenty of work.

Blindside Siu Kakala also made plenty of metres in a game that showcased South Canterbury's attacking ability but showed their fragilities on defence out wide.

Bryan Strachan presented the Strachan Cup, donated by his father, to South Canterbury captain Nick Strachan.

The game was also the first time South Canterbury had been controlled by a woman referee with Wairarapa farmer Rebecca Mahoney in charge.

In other Heartland games West Coast beat North Otago 18-17, Poverty Bay surprised Mid Canterbury 52-38, while Wanganui romped home 67-24 over East Coast. Thames Valley got past Wairarapa Bush 29-23 while Horowhenua Kapiti got past King Country 35-19.

South Canterbury head to Taupo next to take on King Country in another must win game.

Article added: Tuesday 24 September 2019