Canterbury Defeat Manawatu 57-7

Canterbury has pumped Manawatu 57-7 in their ITM Cup match in Palmerston North.

The 11 time provincial champions flexed their muscles finishing with a nine tries to one victory.

The hosts came out sluggish and the red and blacks made them pay for it as they ran in three tries in the opening three minutes.

Marshall Suckling, Mitchell Drummond, Rob Thompson, Dom Bird, Ben Funnell and Johnny McNicholl all scoring for Canterbury in the first half.

Fraser Stone grabbed Manawatu's only try of the game in the 38th minute, as the Turbos were made to look ordinary in most facets of the game.

Suckling added his second try in the 59th minute, while Thompson completed a hat-trick with two second half tries.

Canterbury leapfrog Tasman to the top of the Premiership standings, going four points clear.

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