Concerns as Kaeo and Rarawa default
Kerikeri 32 Hikurangi 36: Kerikeri still seeking a second win of the debut season in the Whangarei-based Bayleys Premiership (Joe Morgan Memorial) following this loss at home on Saturday.
Hikurangi scored just before halftime to go into the break holding a narrow 15-17 lead but then came out and scored two quick tries within three minutes of the restart courtesy of some sleepy defence. Keri woke up and dominated the latter part of proceedings but it wasn’t enough.
Coach Shaun Anderson noted Hikurangi scored six tries to Keri’s five, and the latter only managed to convert one of the five conversion attempts in the swirling wind present.
“That was the difference. We had a bad day with the boot. [Otherwise,] It was a good open game. Really good day, end-toend rugby, played in good competitive spirit . . . The learning continues for our young boys and our new boys in this comp,” he said somewhat philosophically about the result.
Tries for hooker Daniel Groome 2, Dane Subritzky Clark, Fella Kiko and Mitchell Miller while overall standout was loosie Mark Sorenson.
Apart from the disappointment, being this was the first home game of the season and played in conjunction with the club’s sponsors day, Anderson said the Hikurangi boys were “a great bunch of lads” who stayed around for some time afterwards to partake of the abundant Far North hospitality on offer.
The nearly 30 sponsors there for the game were all presented with uniquely designed shirts as a gesture of thanks from the club for their support.
In the curtain raiser, the Kerikeri Reserves won 36-27 and now sit in third spot on the standings, with three wins out of five games. Anderson said everyone appreciated the great turnout from the local community. “We want to keep that support up for the second round [where Keri have a lot more home fixtures].”
Other results were, Hora Hora 54 Wellsford 26 (reserves: 26-38), Kamo 43 Mid Northern 32 (29-24), OBM 38 Waipu 21 (24-10), Western Sharks 22 Otamatea Hawks 27 (17-41). ■ STANDINGS, prems: Kamo 24 points, OBM 22, Hora Hora 20, Mid Northern 13, Waipu 11, Hikurangi 9, Otamatea 7, Kerikeri 7, Wellsford 7 Western Sharks 3; reserves: Kamo 25, OBM 20, Kerikeri 16, Wellsford 15, Mid Northern 14, Otamatea 14, Hora Hora 10, Western Sharks 8, Hikurangi 6, Waipu 5.
Bayleys Premiership
North Zone
Eastern 50 Ohaeawai/ Okaihau 26 (HT 24-5): Eastern running out comfortable winners in this match from round four of the North Zone championship. Coach Dave Jurlina noted his side got off to a strong start and stayed well in front throughout despite having a player sent to the sin bin and a number of penalties. “Little bit of a lack of discipline probably the biggest let down for us.” Tries by Mitch Jurlina 2 (and 4 conversions), Nick Jurlina 2, Tucker Albert 2, Jarrod
Bellingham, Josh Robson and Kyle Thomson, while standouts were prop Brandon Jurlina and Robson at 2nd five.
Kaikohe 39 Otiria 34 (HT 22-3): Kaikohe taking the spoils at home in this closely battled and exciting Bay derby which coach Wally Harris described as a nail-biter of the first order. Kaikohe dominated the first half only for Otiria to strike back with massive attack to make it 34-all. The result was sealed when Kaikohe scored a try in the corner in the dying minutes of the game.
Kaikohe standouts included Solomon Dalton who remained composed and led by example while being supported by Scott Wilson and Bodene Davis, big Matthew Paraha dominating the scrum and ruck areas up front and 2nd five Stacey Heke repeatedly breaking the line and creating space out wide. Tries for Dalton 3, Heke, Isaac Vujcich, Reagan Hills and Davis, conversions: Hemara 2.
Awanui 82 Panguru 10: Panguru manager Mike Te Wake wondered if his side suffered the backlash of meeting an Awanui sore at coming off a defeat (at Kawakawa) but said no one threw in the towel.
“We had a steep mountain to climb at Awanui. My forwards done the mahi, put in the hard yards but little mistakes proved to their benefit. We fronted,” he said, an indirect reference to
Lolly the two other games which didn’t take place on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Kaeo were unable to muster enough troops to host Moerewa United Kawakawa while Kaitaia were handed default from Te Rarawa. The two defaults raise serious concerns for both sides’ ongoing viability.
STANDINGS: Moerewa 20 points, Kaitaia 17, Awanui 16, Eastern 15; Kaikohe 15, Taiamai Ohaeawai 11, Otiria 8, Te Rarawa 5, Panguru 1, Kaeo 0.