Waikato are now the NPC First Division's only unbeaten side after a convincing , seven-try 48-19 win over Taranaki in New Plymouth on Saturday afternoon.

This was an impressively complete performance from the Mooloo men, backs and forwards combining dangerously throughout to eclipse the highly rated Taranaki pack. Marty Holah, Royce Willis, Michael Briggs, Deacon Manu, Greg Smith and Deon Muir were tireless in the loose, Keith Robinson and Jonno Gibbes dominant in the lineouts and their collective weight advantage meant that Taranaki were always struggling in the scrums.

Behind such an effective forward pack, the Waikato backs had a field day, taking advantage of quality , go-forward ball and always dangerous on the counter attack. Todd Miller at full back and Keith Lowen at second five showed their best form in two years, Reihana and Randle were typically elusive on the wings and young centre Regan King scored a hat trick in an excellent all round performance.

After a tight opening 10 minutes , the Waikato forwards gradually assumed control and the better continuity between backs and forwards put the home side under increasing pressure. The match was effectively sealed in the ten minutes before half time when King scored twice in quick succession from sweeping Waikato moves. A 10-9 advantage was swiftly translated into a 22-9 gap, and further tries in the opening 10 minutes of the second half , from Miller and Manu, made the bonus point safe.

Taranaki were never likely to accept defeat without some resistance, and an Andrew Hore try after 55 minutes did offer some hope, but in reality not a great deal. A magnificent effort from Randle, following a quick lineout throw from Reihana just outside his 22, and King's hat trick try , took the visitors close to the half century mark and emphasized their side's superiority over a the team who had beaten Aucklland and Otago on successive weekends.

So Waikato remain top and sent a clear warning to the rest of provincial New Zealand rugby. It will take a good side to beat them , new coach Ian Foster having built a successful blend of simple, effective and potent rugby.

Scorers :

Taranaki : 19 : Tries : Hore , Thompson . Penalties : Lilley ( 3 )

Waikato : 48 : Tries : King ( 3 ), Lowen, Miller, Manu, Randle. Conversions : Reihana ( 5 ). Penalty : Reihana

Teams :

Taranaki : Daryl Lilley, Shayne Austin, Bryce Robins, Matthew Harvey, James Kerr, Mark Urwin, Denning Tyrell, Chris Masoe, Richard Bryant, Brent Thompson, Reece Robinson, Paul Tito ( captain ), Gordon Slater, Andrew Hore, Tony Penn.

Subs : Daniel Smith , Jason Hooper, Scott Breman, Corey Holdaway, Brendan Haami, Mepi Faoagali, Chris Woods.

Waikato : Todd Miller, Roger Randle, Regan King, Keith Lowen, Bruce Reihana, Derek Maisey, Rhys Duggan, Deon Muir ( captain ), Marty Holah, Jonno Gibbes, Royce Willis, Keith Robinson, Deacon Manu, Greg Smith, Michael Collins.

Subs :Scott Linklater, Tony Philp, Steven Bates, Scott Couch, Isaac Boss, Mark von Gisbergen, Matthew Priscott