Running rugby was the phrase of the day in the latest round of the Heartland Championship.
In total, 485 points in six matches - an average of almost 81 points per match and more than 40 points per team - while two teams, Ngati Porou East Coast and Wairarapa Bush, set unwanted records at home.
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East Coast fell 60-45 to Thames Valley at Ruatoria's Whakarua Park on Saturday, while Wairarapa Bush lost 62-45 to Horowhenua Kapiti at Masterton's Memorial Park, the highest losing scores in the competition's history.
With three rounds remaining before the Meads Cup and Lochore Cup semifinals, defending champions South Canterbury guaranteed a top-eight finish with a 44-31 victory over neighbours North Otago at Temuka Domain.
The unbeaten Green and Blacks extended their Heartland Championship winning streak to 36 matches in the Hanan Shield clash, maintaining their four-point lead over Whanganui at the top of the standings.
Whanganui defeated Mid Canterbury 48-26 in Ashburton, moving to 21 points, two ahead of Thames Valley. In spite of the loss, the Hammers remain in the top-four, ahead of East Coast on points difference.
Horowhenua Kapiti, King Country and West Coast are currently in the Lochore Cup semifinal spots. King Country defeated West Coast 43-17 in Taupo, while Buller beat winless Poverty Bay 36-28 in Westport to stay in touch with the top-eight.
Whanganui will defend the Bill Osborne Taonga for the first time on Saturday at Cooks Garden (kick-off 2.30pm).
HEARTLAND CHAMPIONS RESULTS - ROUND 5
Thames Valley 60 East Coast 45
Whanganui 48 Mid Canterbury 26
South Canterbury 44 North Otago 31
Buller 36 Poverty Bay 28
King Country 43 West Coast 17
Horowhenua Kapiti 62 Wairarapa Bush 45
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