The Rams roll on

King Country remains top of the Heartland Championship after a thrilling 54-38 victory over Wairarapa Bush in Masterton – and finally got their hands on the Lochore/Meads Scroll.

By Andrew (Chainsaw) McCullough

The Paparata Farms King Country Rams continued their impressive Heartland Championship campaign with a hard-fought 54-38 win over Wairarapa Bush in Masterton, retaining top spot on the competition ladder.

The victory also delivered a long-awaited prize, with the Rams finally claiming the Lochore/Meads Scroll at the fifth attempt.

On a warm day in the Wairarapa, the Rams were forced to withstand early pressure from the home side before hitting back in typically powerful fashion.

After 11 minutes, captain and hooker Liam Rowlands finished off a superbly executed lineout driving maul to give King Country the lead.

Wairarapa Bush responded five minutes later when flanker Van Prenter crossed out wide, but from there the Rams began to take control.

Rowlands grabbed his second try from another dominant lineout maul before sustained pressure opened the way for flanker Reeve Satherley to cross.

First-five Hone Mathieson was faultless with the boot, converting all three first-half tries as King Country took a 21-5 lead into the break.

The Rams struck again almost immediately after halftime, with halfback Kristian Gent-Standen producing a superb 35-metre break, bamboozling the Bush defence before scoring.

Wairarapa Bush refused to surrender, however, with standout lock Malakai Biumaiwai making a telling break that eventually saw flanker Folau Vea finish out wide.

King Country hit back almost immediately. Lock Tyrone Lowry made the initial break before Gent-Standen was on his shoulder to score his second try of the afternoon.

At the 18-minute mark of the second half, Bush second-five Fiula Tameilau crossed to reduce the deficit to 33-17.

The Rams then shifted through the gears again.

Centre Logan Patterson produced one of the highlights of the match, beating four defenders on a dazzling 30-metre run to score and celebrate his 25th and blazer game for King Country in style.

Replacement midfielder Josevata Malimoce then added another powerful try as the Rams appeared to have the game firmly under control.

But the match opened up in the final stages and Wairarapa Bush took advantage, scoring three late tries through replacement outside back Harry Eschenbach, replacement lock Sam Siaosi and replacement hooker George Parke.

In between those scores, Patterson completed a memorable afternoon by crossing for his second long-range try.

The final score of 54-38 reflected an entertaining match in which both sides produced plenty of attacking rugby.

Among a team full of strong performers, Rowlands led from the front, while experienced prop Joe Walsh put in another impressive shift. Young first-five Hone Mathieson was also outstanding, combining a composed general-play performance with superb goal-kicking.

Mathieson converted seven of King Country's tries.

For the Rams, the try scorers were Liam Rowlands (2), Kristian Gent-Standen (2), Logan Patterson (2), Reeve Satherley and Josevata Malimoce.

Wairarapa Bush's tries came from Van Prenter, Folau Vea, Fiula Tameilau, Harry Eschenbach, Sam Siaosi and George Parke, with Josh Pepperell kicking one conversion and Josh Cavanagh three.

Coach Aarin Dunster was pleased with the performance but was quick to keep his feet firmly on the ground, with the Rams now enjoying the luxury of consecutive home games.

Next up is a big clash under lights at Owen Delany Park, where King Country host Ngāti Porou East Coast this Saturday at 6pm.

The Bill Osborne Taonga will be on the line, with a special new trophy also to be unveiled. From now on, that trophy will be contested between the two Chiefs-based unions, adding another chapter to what is already an important rivalry.

With the Rams sitting proudly at the top of the Heartland Championship table, the challenge now is to keep the roll going.