South Canterbury 17
Buller 10

South Canterbury denied Buller back-to-back wins in the Lochore Cup, with a 17-10 win at Timaru's Alpine Energy Stadium to conclude the Heartland Championship.

The victory was South Canterbury's first competition title since 2001 and saw them join Mid Canterbury (Meads Cup), Auckland (women's provincial championship), Tasman (ITM Cup championship) and Canterbury (ITM Cup premiership) on the winners' ledger.

Strong winds again played a big part in today's match but, in the end, the combination of South Canterbury's superior forward pack and the boot of fullback Liam Edwards proved too much for the visitors.

In yesterday's top tier Heartland Championship final, Mid Canterbury held the Meads Cup aloft for the first time and claimed their first championship title since 1998.

- APNZ