Thames Valley had the significant breeze at their backs and looked to chalk up a defendable first-half lead.
At the after-match conference, Swamp Foxes captain Matty Axtens said: “We wanted to start well in the first 20 minutes with great physicality and put them under the pump.”
They delivered with two tries and a penalty for an early 15-0 lead.
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Whanganui then closed the gap to 15-8 midway through the first half.
Veteran Connor McVerry started the highlight of the game with a huge break through the Whanganui defence. Quick passing saw the Valley record a treasured seven-pointer.
A penalty had the visitors leading 25-8 at the break.
The opening 20 minutes of the second half proved to be a stalemate with no scoring.
This was to the Swamp Foxes’ advantage and another converted try stretched their lead to 32-8. There was then no way out of the game for Whanganui.
Though the Butcher Boys scored the final try, Thames Valley drilled two penalties to ensure there was no comeback.
Whanganui 15 (2 tries, conversion and penalty) v Thames Valley 38 (S. Etoni 2, C. Marsh 2, Q. Collard 3 conversions, 3 penalties, F. Morgan penalty).
The Meads Cup final between Thames Valley and Mid Canterbury will be played at Boyd Park, Te Aroha this Saturday October 19. Kickoff is at 2.05pm.
Match report by Donald Mackay
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