Both teams had won their first round games and Whanganui has been a perennially strong side in latter seasons. But scoring four tries to two, the home team stole an early march.
However, neighbour South Canterbury also picked up another high-scoring win in beating Wairarapa Bush 61-17 in Timaru. Kalavini Leagigaga scored three tries and Siu Kakala two in the win while first five-eighths Sam Briggs helped himself to 21 points by scoring a try and landing eight conversions.
Horowhenua Kapiti also remained unbeaten when handing a 25-17 defeat to North Otago in Levin.
Thames Valley is the only other unbeaten side when taking a 35-19 win over East Coast.
East Coast 19 Thames Valley 35
East Coast 19 (Scorers not provided) Thames Valley 35 (Josh Kaho, Connor McVerry, Tevita Halafihi 2 tries; Todd Doolan 3 con, 3 pen). HT:
Horowhenua Kapiti 25 North Otago 17
Horowhenua Kapiti 25 (Simon Butler, Andrew Knewstubb, Bryn Gordon tries; Jack Tatu-Robertson 2 con, 2 pen) North Otago 17 (Scorers not provided). HT:
King Country 17 West Coast 34
King Country 17 (Kauri Coffin, Josevata Malimole tries; Liam Wano 2 con, pen) West Coast 34 (Jarrod Ferguson, Elliot Smith 3, Joseph Scott, Josh Tomlinson tries; Joseph Scott 2 con). HT: 10-17
Mid Canterbury 24 Whanganui 17
Mid Canterbury 24 (Tait Chisman, Liam McCormack, Osian Davies, Seta Koroitamana tries; Tom Reekie con; George Williams con) Whanganui 17 (Kameli Kuruyabaki 2 tries; Craig Clare con; Ethan Robinson pen, con). HT: 7-10
Poverty Bay 76 Buller 14
Poverty Bay 76 (Scorers not provided) Buller 14 (Scorers not provided). HT: 43-14
South Canterbury 61 Wairarapa Bush 17
South Canterbury 61 (Kalavini Leagigaga 3, Junior Faavae, Siu Kakala 2, Sam Briggs, Willie Wright, Sainivaiati Ramuwai tries; Briggs 8 con) Wairarapa Bush 17 (Joe Tako, Henry Wilson, Moomoo Falaniko tries; Falaniko con). HT: 26-5