Harbour maintain winning start with big second half

Newly promoted North Harbour have opened their Mitre 10 Cup Premiership campaign with back-toback wins, downing Southland in a crossover match last night.

After edging Otago 19-17 last week, Harbour overcame a sluggish start at Invercargill’s Rugby Park to pile on six tries, four in the second half.

Southland had struck early, centre Matthew Johnson latching on to a spilled up-and-under after seven minutes to score and put the home team in front.

Harbour pivot Bryn Gatland and Southland’s Ryan Tongia exchanged penalties before Matt Vaega crossed to level the scores after 20 minutes, set up by some fancy footwork from Tevita Li.

Harbour hit the front after 33 minutes when Li crossed out wide but Southland took a narrow 17-15 into the break when halfback Liam Howley sold an outrageous dummy on the line and dived over.

The second half was all North Harbour, prop Chris Eves crashing over after barely five minutes, then fullback Shaun Stevenson converting turnover ball into points with a flying run down the right wing.

Vaega picked up his second shortly after the hour mark and Li also bagged a double with his 82ndminute effort to complete Harbour’s dominant second half.

Harbour host Auckland in their next game next Sunday afternoon.

North Harbour 45 (Matt Vaega 2, Tevita Li 2, Chris Eves, Shaun Stevenson tries; Bryn Gatland 2 pens, 2 cons, Ben Volavola pen, con)

Southland 20 (Matthew Johnson, Liam Howley tries; Scott Eade 2 cons, pen, Ryan Tongia pen).