For the second time in as many weeks, heartland rugby's Bill Osborne Taonga is on the move.
King Country ended Buller's first reign with the challenge trophy at just seven days with a resounding 54-27 victory at Westport's Victoria Square in Round 2 of the Heartland Championship on Saturday.
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Centre Cody Nordstrom scored two tries as the Rams ran in nine in the damp and slippery conditions, with three tries in a devastating 10-minute period just after halftime effectively deciding the result.
Leading 23-13 at halftime, King Country punished Buller with a series of set-piece losses. Patrick Headley finished an overlap, captain Liam Rowlands powered over from close range, and Nordstrom cruised through the defence to take the score to 42-13.
The home side's fans got something to cheer about, with Sione Lonitenisi scoring from another well-executed lineout drive, before Nordstrom got his second and replacement wing Josevata Malimole crossed to extend the lead.
Buller did have the final say with a moment of brilliance from replacement halfback Thor Manawatu, who threw a pinpoint long-range pass to a charging Louis Devery, who finished untouched to cap off the scoring.
Earlier, King Country struck first, with lock Eli Winders breaking the line and sprinting away to score after just seven minutes, before wing Zac Wickham-Darlington pounced on a loose ball to score, pushing the visitors ahead 14-3. Buller answered with a powerful lineout drive, resulting in co-captain Anthony Ellis scoring.
The Rams will defend the Bill Osborne Taonga on Saturday against Thames Valley in Te Kuiti (kick-off 5.30pm), while Buller travel to Whanganui, a week before defending the Rundle Cup against West Coast in Round 4.
In other matches in Round 2, defending Meads Cup champions South Canterbury and Mid Canterbury scored big wins ahead of their Hanan Shield clash on Saturday.
South Canterbury, featuring former All Blacks hooker Hika Elliot, were dominant in the second half in a 69-32 victory over Wairarapa Bush at Pleasant Point Domain, while the Hammers dealt West Coast a 49-21 defeat at the Ashburton Showgrounds.
Joining South and Mid Canterbury with two wins after two weeks were the Swampfoxes of Thames Valley, 24-15 winners over North Otago in a tough match at Boyd Park in Te Aroha.
The loss dropped the Old Golds to 0-0-2, the same record as Wairarapa Bush and Poverty Bay, who fell 47-36 to Whanganui at Patutahi Domain. East Coast defeated Horowhenua Kapiti 30-27 in Levin in the other match of the weekend.
HEARTLAND CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS - ROUND 2
Mid Canterbury 49 West Coast 21
King Country 54 Buller 27
East Coast 30 Horowhenua Kapiti 27
Whanganui 47 Poverty Bay 36
South Canterbury 69 Wairarapa Bush 32
Thames Valley 24 North Otago 15