Buller prevail in tight match in Gisborne

 Five penalties to Buller wing Stu Neighbours earned his side a hard fought 15-13 win over Poverty Bay in a Heartland rugby championship match in Gisborne today.

The result secured Buller a spot in the top flight Meads Cup, with one round remaining before the cutoff, and consigned the Poverty Bay to the second tier Lochore Cup competition.

"We've got a home game against South Canterbury next week and if we win we could be looking at two home games in the next round," a delighted Buller co-coach Craig Neill said.

Last year's Lochore Cup winners Poverty Bay started strongly and scored a try under the crossbar to fullback Kahu Tamatea after only six minutes.

After that the home side lost their way, discipline and confidence for long periods against a Buller side in which No 8 Jo Yalayala, openside flanker Luke Brownlee, halfback Nathan Thompson and halfback Andrew Stephens were outstanding.

Buller led 12-10 at halftime and Neighbours made it 15-10 in the 54th minute before Poverty Bay second five-eighth Ian Logan reduced the deficit with a penalty four minutes later.

Buller 15 (Stu Neighbours 5 pen) Poverty Bay 13 (Kahu Tamatea try; Ian Logan 2 pen, Tamatea con). Halftime: 12-10.