Heat fire up in Harbour victory
The Counties Manukau Heat continued on their winning start to the season in the Farah Palmer Cup.
On the weekend, the Heat recorded a dominant 42-3 victory over North Harbour at Massey Park.
At half time the Heat only held a 10-3 lead, but they piled on the points in the second half.
Krystal Murray, Langi Veainu and Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate all scored two tries each, while Victoria SubritzkyNafatali and Ariana Hira-Herangi both dotted down once. Hazel Tubic kicked one conversion.
The victory means the Heat are unbeaten through their first two games.
After having a bye last week, they sit in third place on the same points as Canterbury and five points behind Auckland who has played three games.
This week the Heat will take on Otago at the University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday from midday.
The Farah Palmer Cup kicked off earlier this month and features nine teams from across the country.
There are seven rounds of action including semi-finals on Saturday, September 24 and the grand final on Saturday, October 1.
In other weekend rugby action, the Counties Manukau Bs Red were narrowly defeated 27-25 by Northland at Marist RFC in Whangarei.
Northland opened the scoring after four minutes with a well-worked try to take an early 7-0 lead.
Riley Hohepa hit back with a penalty kick in front of the posts to close the gap to 7-3. Counties then hit the lead after 20 minutes, with Liam Daniela scoring under the posts to make it 10-7.
Counties then scored again five minutes before half time. Some good work through the forwards saw Lepetimalo Lauese get driven over the try line.
Northland then replied with a penalty straight before the break to make it 15-10 to Counties at half time.
Northland scored a converted try 15 minutes into the second spell to regain the lead 17-15, but Counties came back to score the next two tries – one to Avea Momoisea and the other Kama Sakalia. At this stage, Counties were leading 25-17.
Northland didn’t give up though and they managed to score a try on the left wing, which was converted.
Unfortunately for Counties Bs Red, Northland claimed victory right on full time with a drop goal. 1,800 neighbourhoods across New Zealand are using Neighbourly meet your neighbours