Wanganui stir to life in second spell

 An awful second-half performance from South Canterbury gifted Wanganui a 30-8 victory in a Heartland rugby championship match in Timaru today.

Down 6-8 at halftime Wanganui scored 24 unanswered points, including four tries, to cruise to victory.

The result guarantees Wanganui a spot in the top tier Meads Cup while South Canterbury have been relegated to the Lochore Cup with one round remaining.

South Canterbury's lack of backline depth was exposed after the break when halfback Burt Willson pulled up lame and regular lock Star Tuliakiono went on to the wing in the reshuffled lineup.

Wanganui launched their comeback eight minutes into the second half when halfback Denning Tyrell snuck in beside the goalposts after a good buildup.

Two minutes later left wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma was in when the hosts were caught short out wide.

Midway through the half Wanganui right wing Juan Visser scored when South Canterbury were again stretched and the bonus point try wasn't long in coming as prop Mike Thompson crashed over.

South Canterbury's embarassment was complete when they blew a try on fulltime with a series of fumbles.

Wanganui cpatain Denning Tyrell was outstanding, controlling play and making some great metres when it mattered while loose forwards Peter Rowe and Matt Gilbert tackled tirelessly and Steelie Koro was influential at first five-eighth in the second spell.

Wanganui 30 (Juan Visser, Mike Thompson, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Denning Tyrell tries; Leon Mason 2 pen, Steelie Koro 2 con) South Canterbury 8 (Sione Tuliakiono try; Mark Tutton pen). Halftime: 6-8.