Week 7 review - East Coast fight hard for first win

East Coast picked up their first AA Rewards Heartland Championship win of the season with a 31-22 win over Horowhenua-Kapiti in Ruatoria in the weekend.

Down 22-5 at the break, East Coast staged a sensational comeback, scoring 26 unanswered points, to move away from the bottom of the Lochore Cup table.

Three tries in 10 minutes, to second five Asava Tiko, replacement hooker Richard Tuhaka and centre Doone Harrison put the Coast in front.

Winger Jonah Tuitonga completed the scoring with a try in the 75th minute.

Although not on the scoresheet No 8 Horace Lewis and blindside flanker and skipper Morgan Wirepa were outstanding in the pack while fullback Anthony Heal, after a shaky first 40 caused the visitors all sorts of problems with his counter-attacking in the secondhalf.

Scores:

East Coast 31 (Asava Tiko 2, Richard Tuhaka, Doone Harrison, Jonah Tuitonga tries; Tiko 3 con) Horowhenua-Kapiti 22 (Shane Pihema, John Tavite, Thomas Ati Ilaoa tries; Mahe Gibson pen, 2 con).