Wairarapa-Bush big winners in Heartland and NPC action on Saturday

• By Scott MacLean & Steven White

Replacement halfback Sam Walton-Sexton was the hero for Wairarapa Bush, as his extra-time try lifted the home side to a 29-24 win over Poverty Bay at Memorial Park in Masterton this afternoon.

Earlier a Jack Eschenbach penalty had put Wai-Bush ahead early on, but the visitors crossed twice to take a 10-3 lead into the break.

The hosts drew level through a converted try to winger Soli Malatai, before the two sides went tit-for-tat; the Bush scorers were blindside Cody Cunningham and replacement loosie Tom Williams to leave the sides locked up 24-each after 80 minutes before Walton-Sexton’s scored the winner.

That result lifted Wairarapa Bush into the top four and the Meads Cup after a helter-skelter afternoon. They’ll face Mid-Canterbury after the unbeaten Hammers crushed North Otago 47-7, while down the round perennial powerhouse South Canterbury will host defending champions Thames Valley. South Canterbury beat Horowhenua-Kapiti 31-21 while the Swamp Foxes went to Whanganui and thumped the hosts 38-5.

In the Lochore Cup Whanganui will now host Horowhenua-Kapiti, with North Otago entertaining Poverty Bay.

In the two fixtures with no impact on the top four King Country consigned East Coast to the wooden spoon with a 73-14 win, and West Coast triumphed 34-11 against Buller.

Meanwhile, the Wellington Lions were mown down in the second half by the Bay of Plenty Steamers at a drizzly Porirua Park.

The Lions led 21-0 after 28 minutes but let that slip as the Steamers came back to win 33-26.

The visitors scored their bonus point try early in the fourth quarter to take the lead for the first time.

Wellington drew level again at 26-26 with a sizzling try in the southern grandstand corner to right wing Stanley Solomon who found hangtime in diving for the try inside the flag, precariously captured by Sky Sports and Huddy Sports camera operator Tamati.

The Lions have struggled with consistent midfield combinations all season, so perhaps it was fitting for the visitors that replacement midfielder Reon Paul scored their match-winner in the 73^rd minute. Paul is a former Northern United player.

As well as personnel issues for the Lions this season, others have been their discipline and untimely errors, both letting them down at key points of matches. This was the case in this match as BoP capitalised and took their chances to score three converted tries to get themselves back in the game.

Earlier, it all went so well for the Lions. Second five Julian Savea left the terminus from an attacking scrum and sailed through to score early to make it 7-0.

In the 20^th minute, Wellington advanced down field from a scrum, with wing Tom Maiava being tackled by cover defence. The ball was recycled and his Ories teammate and openside flanker Sione Halalilo scored to make it 14-0.

Five minutes later the electric Solomon was in for his first try. Fullback Callum Harkin kicked a 50-22 special, but BoP flanker Kele Lasaqa attempted to keep the ball alive, although being seemingly already in touch, and his errant effort was collected by Solomon who flew through to score off.

The Steamers got a try back just before halftime to halfback Charles Sinton. Then last year’s NZ Schools captain Sinton was in again for a second early in the second spell after a Lions error.

The Steamers move on to the business end of the season, while the Lions will start their season reviews on Monday.

The other big match of the weekend involving Hurricanes region teams sees the Manawatu Turbos and the Hawke’s Bay Magpies contesting the Kel Tremain Trophy on Saturday evening.