Heartland champions Wanganui showed considerable improvement in putting away a gutsy West Coast 41-15 in a pool A Heartland championship rugby match at Wanganui today. Wanganui lazed their way to victory last week against Horowhenua-Kapiti but were more aggressive today, albeit still a long way from the class act at the end of last season.

Captain Matt Gilbert led the way from his loosehead prop position and backed up by loose forwards Adam Roe and Peter Rowe, the home forwards were too strong for West Coast which allowed first five Mark Davies much more room than he had last week. West Coast kept battling gamely, especially loose forwards Rowan O’Gorman and Tom Gilmour, with halfback and captain James Ferguson steering the ship very well.