West Coast bumbled their way through the last 20 minutes of their 33-18 win over East Coast in a Heartland championship Lochore Cup rugby match in Greymouth.

Hooker Rowan O’Gorman collected an offload from wing Luke Hughes for the hosts’ first try before East Coast answered with a penalty to first five-eighth Nathan Langsford after 15 minutes.West Coast then steadily clocked up points, with second five Willie Brown crossing from a charge down, Maleli Mudu finishing off strong linking play on the left wing and centre Andrew Connors flying over early in the second half after a break by Brown.

Mudu added two conversions and three penalties before 60 minutes had passed to rack up a tidy personal tally of 18. Midway through the second half, East Coast started to make good ground through the forwards, hooker Gordon Hinaki charging through for a try.Maintaining possession, East Coast then scored two five-pointers to wing Tomasi Coka; one a deflection from his own kick on halfway and the other with a ‘hail Mary’ pass from his centre. West Coast’s early lead proved the difference though, and they held on for the bonus point win.