Cranston, Rokoduguni double keeps Meads Cup hopes alive

Two tries apiece by captain Eddie Cranston and teenage wing Peni Rokoduguni have put Farriers Wairarapa-Bush back in contention for the Meads Cup semi-finals.

Up 24-16 at the break against Poverty Bay in Gisborne the visitors hung on in the second half to win 32-30.

Both sides scored four tries each, however it was Andy Humberstone’s clean sheet at conversions that proved the difference.

Cranston’s two tries were good reward for an excellent game at open-side flanker, while Rokoduguni made for a memorable debut with his brace. The fleet-footed Fijian Rokoduguni could be one to watch in the future and has good pedigree with his brother Semesa having already played for England.

The result puts Wairarapa-Bush on equal standing with Buller in fourth, although one place behind based on points differential. Mid Canterbury are two points ahead in third.

At home to winless East Coast next weekend Wairarapa-Bush should be able to bank the maximum five points and move clear of both Buller and Mid Canterbury. Buller is away to sixth placed King Country in Taupo while Mid Canterbury head to Timaru for a tough assignment against their more fancied neighbours South Canterbury.

Meanwhile, Wanganui confirmed their status as the team to beat in the Mitre 10 Heartland Championships thumping Buller 28-0 in Westport. The defending champions have not dropped a game this season.

South Canterbury booked themselves a likely home semi-final spot with an excellent 44-16 win over North Otago in Oamaru.

In other matches, Mid Canterbury beat Thames Valley 38-22 in Ashburton, Horowhenua Kapiti made easy work of West Coast winning 52-22 in Levin while King Country thrashed East Coast 72-24 in Ruatoria.

MATCH:

Wairarapa Bush 32 (Eddie Cranston 2, Peni Rokoduguni 2; Andy Humberstone 4 con)

Poverty Bay 30 (Siosiua Moala, Ratu Daurua, Isaiah Leach, Murray Hewson tries; Issiah Vuki 3 con)

HT: 24-16