Only two Manawatu teams unbeaten

Linton and Dannevirke are the only unbeaten Manawatu teams after two rounds of the Western Alliance competition.

The tournament has expanded this year and features 12 teams, including three new sides from Taranaki: the Central Cougars, Normanby and Western Suburbs.

Dannevirke registered an impressive, 26-24 win at Normanby on Saturday, but coach Charlie Tuhua wasn't getting ahead of himself despite his side's undefeated opening.

"It's a good start," he said.

"We've got some pretty hard games coming up soon though.

"My impressions of the game [on Saturday] was we will take the win. It was very scrappy in parts. We really didn't field a full-strength team."

Tuhua said the good work of his forward pack had laid the foundation for captain Logan Whaitiri to spark the backline this year.

Linton continued their good start when they beat defending Manawatu champions Feilding, 30-28, at the army camp.

Feilding were down 24-4 at halftime and fought back strongly, but didn't have enough in them to get over the line.

Feilding coach Mike Graham wasn't worried about dropping a game early because it was a long season.

"We did quite well to come back in the end," he said. "They just played better than us to be honest."

Kia Ora are struggling with the loss of some key players from last season and blew a 16-point halftime lead to lose, 26-22 to the Coastal Cobras at Bill Brown Park.

A strong wind dominated the game and Kia Ora played with it at their backs in the first spell, but the visitors made better use of it in the second half.

Second-rower Ritchie Hamlin and Tanu Aumua were Kia Ora's best performed.

In other matches, Whiti Te Ra beat Western Suburbs, Waitara beat Hawera and Marist dealt the Central Cougars their second loss in two games.

- © Fairfax NZ News