3 Jul 2014

Counties open Ranfurly Shield defence with big win

11:39 am on 3 July 2014

Counties-Manukau have survived their first Ranfurly Shield challenge of 2014, thumping Heartland team Thames Valley 68-0 in Pukekohe.

The hosts ran in 10 tries in the pre-ITM Cup hitout and led 35-0 at halftime.

Counties' next Shield defence is against Mid-Canterbury next week.