In-form North Harbour keep semis dream alive

NORTH Harbour’s resurgence has continued in the Mitre 10 Cup, with their bonus-point win over Counties Manukau propelling them into the premiership top four with one round to play.

After dropping their first three games, Harbour have now made it five wins from six, with a dominant 32-5 result against the Steelers at a wet North Harbour Stadium yesterday.

The win now puts Harbour on 25 points, one ahead of Wellington and two behind Waikato, with those teams both in action today. Harbour can now focus on a playoff possibility, ahead of a crucial last-round match with Bay of Plenty in Tauranga next

Sunday.

As for Counties, they remain six points back from fifthplaced Southland, while the Steelers are just one ahead of bottom-placed Manawatu¯, who have a game in hand.

Like so many other teams before them, Counties were dominated by Harbour’s powerful scrum, and with little general Bryn Gatland capably steering them round and goalkicking smartly (5/6), the hosts were able to build on their 10-0 halftime lead by running in three second-half tries, and mark Murphy Taramai’s 50th match for the province in style.

Playing into the wind and driving rain, Harbour started the better, having survived an early scare when Gatland – the competition’s top pointscorer – had treatment to his ribs after

being flattened by a big Viliame Taulani hit.

They opened the scoring in the 11th minute when wing Jared Page strolled over in the right corner, thanks to a lovely rainbow ball from Bryn Hall right on the goal-line. But Harbour only added to their tally after the halftime siren, with Gatland slotting off the tee from 40m.

Turning with the wind, Harbour then struck a crucial blow early, with impressive hooker Luteru Tolai scoring on the back of an expert lineout drive.

Staring down the barrel at 17-0, the Steelers were immediately sparked when wing Kirisi Kuridrani flew over in the corner to notch the visitors’ first points.

A 65th minute yellow card to Steelers flanker Alamanda Motuga (offside) meant the Counties comeback was shortlived, as Harbour quickly regained their grip. Prop

Teague McElroy went over with 18min left to effectively seal the game. They had their bonus point when another lovely Hall pass set wing Tomas Aoake free.