Matchday scoring highlights: Horowhenua-Kapiti (22) v Wairarapa-Bush (21)

The two teams met in their eighth round Heartland Championship match at Levin Domain on Saturday 27 September, with the home team winning by a point in a tightly fought match dominated by turnovers and penalties.

There were plenty of errors early in this match as Horowhenua-Kapiti posted the first points with a penalty to halfback TJ Barnsley. His opposite, Sam Walton-Sexton, ran away to score the first try before blindside flanker Albert Hemopo and veteran first-five Kahn Fotuali’i capitalised combined to set up flying replacement right wing Joeli Rauca for the opening try and best try of the match. Hemopo made a turnover in the tackle and Fotuali’i kicked ahead for Rauca to collect and score. The home team lead 10-7 at halftime.

The second half became a slog fest as a high penalty count mounted against both teams. Barnsley added another penalty to extend the home team’s lead to 13-7. Wairarapa-Bush struck back with a try to wing Soli Malatai after a penalty and lineout drive and they led 14-13. Barnsley kicked two more penalties, before Wairarapa-Bush scored their third try with a few minutes to play to lead 21-19. However Barnsley had the final say with his fifth penalty to give his side the win.

Scoring highlights below:

The Heartland Championship points table with one round to play is: Mid Canterbury 35; Whanganui, North Otago 26; South Canterbury, Thames Valley 24; Wairarapa Bush, Poverty Bay 23; Horowhenua Kāpiti 21; King Country 10; Buller 7; West Coast 4; Ngati Porou East Coast 1.

Horowhenua-Kapiti are away to South Canterbury this week and Wairarapa-Bush are hosting Poverty Bay.

Photos. Matchday photos of the game are at https://clubrugby.smugmug.com/2025/2025-Representative-Rugby/27-Sept-Horo-Kapiti-22-v-Wai-Bush-21