KING Country half-back Zane Tipping helped his team finish the Heartland Championship season with a win over Buller. Photo: Supplied
A strong first half helped the King Country Rams to a hard-earned 33-28 victory over Buller at Owen Delany Park in Taupō.
The Rams ran in four first half tries in what was one of their best first-half performances all season.
Despite only winning three games this season and narrowly missing out on a Lochore Cup spot due to countback – Mid Canterbury and Poverty Bay had better points differential letting them finish higher – they were two teams the side never played this season along with North Otago.
Kudos needs to be given to the King Country Rams as they have stayed true to what they’ve been preaching all season by picking local players.
Other Heartland provinces around the region will bring in players from unions before the end of June to fit in line with the loan player deadline, however, King Country are giving their players in the King Country club rugby competition, the chance to represent their province.
This year, the Aarin Dunster-coached side used only two loan players in first five, Quinn Collard and lock Eli Winders, both of whom added plenty to the side.
While results may not have been the best this year with just three wins over Whanganui, Buller and Horowhenua Kapiti, the team has shown they can match it with anyone on their day.
Whanganui finished second so to beat them at home would no doubt be the season’s highlight.
The emergence of several players who have stepped up from club level has been another positive.
If the players stay committed to the province, after a couple of years success will come their way. The more Heartland rugby the players play, the better they will be.
In the first half, King Country played with a strong wind at their backs and made the most of it with four first half tries.
Buller dominated the opening 10 minutes; however, King Country opened the proceedings with a try in the corner on the back of some strong build up play from King Country with several players getting across the advantage line.
Piopio prop Piahana Astle-Harris powered his way across the line to score King Country’s second try under the post, which Collard converted.
King Country’s third try was one of their best this season as they spread the ball from the restart and winger Josevata Malimole blitzed his opposite before throwing a pass inside to centre Logan Patterson who raced 30 metres to score.
At 19-0 ahead after 22 minutes, King Country was well on top and looked in control.
Buller replied through veteran winger Iliesa Tora, making the score 19-7.
The visitors continued to get momentum as King Country went through a period of drifting in and out of play.
Buller dotted down again through number 8 George Reeves, who did his best Will Jordan impersonation with a diving finish.
Captain Liam Rowlands scored King Country’s bonus point try, which came off the back of an outstanding driving maul.
Ten minutes into the second half, Malimole made another searing break, which saw Kaleb Foote finish it off to put the Rams ahead, 33-14.
Buller scored two consolation tries but they weren’t enough to deny King Country a third win.
Astle-Harris had one of his best games in the Rams jumper, while Foote and Karney Dunster were also outstanding.
Tipping distributed the ball well from halfback, while Malimole shone whenever he was given space.
Centre Patterson was another standout, while first five Robinson showed his potential with a strong display.
Reeves, hooker Leopino Maupese, lock Caleb Havili and halfback Brett Cutbush were the best of the visitors.
Standout performances across the eight round robin matches should have the likes of Rowlands, Foote, Dunster and Tamaki Kopa in line for New Zealand Heartland selection.
Meanwhile, the King Country schoolgirls finished their season on a positive note, defeating Taranaki under-18 girls, 38-15 to finish their season fourth in a six-team competition.
