Week 5 review - Defending champions outgunned at home

Mid-Canterbury guaranteed themselves a place in the Meads Cup playoffs when they outgunned defending champions Wairarapa-Bush 36-25 in their AA Rewards Heartland Championship match in Masterton on Saturday.

It was an impressive performance from Mid-Canterbury who had a clear edge over their opponents in the forwards and backs. They led 17-12 at halftime.

Flanker Jason Gill, lock Chris Boon and hooker James Carr were the standouts for Mid-Canterbury who used rolling mauls to great effect.

James Umaga and Manase Nonu provided the spark in midfield while first five-eighth Doug Maw picked his options well and used big kicks to control territory.

Wairarapa-Bush were through to the Meads Cup playoffs before the game started but with points from pool games counting, their latest defeat was a big blow to their chances of making the semifinals.

Scores

Mid-Canterbury 36 (Jack Umaga, Manase Nonu, James Carr, Doug Maw, Jason Gill tries; Maw pen, 4 con) Wairarapa-Bush 25 (Heemi Tupaea, Lance Stevenson, Sully Alsop tries; John Dodd 2 pen, 2 con). Halftime 17-12.