South Canterbury, last season’s Meads Cup winners made a strong start to their 2022 Bunnings Heartland campaign with a 35-5 win over Wairarapa Bush on Sunday.
Lochore Cup winners Whanganui were too strong for West Coast taking a 43-19 win home.
Buller, winless last year, ended a run of defeats by claiming a 34-29 win over Mid Canterbury and King Country, who finished last in 2021, and who are celebrating their centennial, started with a 30-22 win over Poverty Bay.
Horowhenua Kapiti beat Ngāti Porou East Coast 32-14.
Bunnings Heartland results – Week 1
Buller 34 (Jamie Tinetti, Mitieli Kaloudigibeci, Jack Parker, Isei Lewaqai 2 tries; Parker 3 con, pen)
Mid Canterbury 29 (Tom Reekie, Adam Williamson (2), Michael Hennings ; Tom Reekie 1xPen, 2x con; Nathan McCloy 1x con.)
HT: 14-17
Ngāti Porou East Coast 14 (Jorian Tangaere, Api Pewhairangi tries; Carlos Kemp 2 con)
Horowhenua Kapiti 32 (Willie Paia’aua, Sase Va’a, Scott Cameron, Tautau Kapea, Keaton Kawana tries; Tyler Tane 2 con, pen)
HT: 14-13
King Country 30 (Oliver Foote, Zach Wickham-Darlington, Zayn Tipping tries; Quinn Collard 3 con, 3 pen)
Poverty Bay 22 (James Higgins, Moses Christie, Tione Hubbard tries; Christie 2 con, pen)
HT: 30-22
South Canterbury 23 (William Wright, Liueli Simote tries; Sam Briggs 2 con, 3 pen)
Thames Valley 17 (Laulea Mau Fangifangu tries; Todd Doolan 2 con, pen)
HT: 20-7
West Coast 19 (E Smith, T Tauwhare, J Tomlinson tries Ben Wyness 2 con )
Whanganui 43 (Timoci Seruwalu, Roman Tutauha, Semi Vososese, Joe Bogileka, Tiari Mumby, Kahl Eller Green tries; Ezra Malo 3 con pen; Ethan Robinson 2 con)
HT: 19-24
Wairarapa Bush 5 (Sam Siaosi try)
North Otago 35 (Ben Paton 2, Mataitini Feke, Levi Emery, Mone Samate tries; Josh Robertson-Weepu 2 con, 2 pen)
HT: 5-12
