League: Hokianga rock into third, champs stuck on second

Hikurangi Stags player Moses Cooper feeds the ball out wide.

Hokianga's timing of a 26-20 win over Portland couldn't have been better in the Rugby League Northland MultiKai Cooker Premiership, with the win leapfrogging them into safety as the play-offs near.

Their win in Portland means they now sit in third, one point ahead of Otangarei and Portland, just one point back from Hikurangi in second.

Also picking up a worthwhile win on Saturday was Hikurangi who denied Otangarei the satisfaction of beating them twice in the season - after Otangarei pulled off an unlikely 40-26 upset earlier in the season.

But, the defending champions Hikurangi only just managed to do it with an 8-6 win at Bluegoose.

Their win means they sit second with just two rounds remaining in the regular season, and if they remain second Hikurangi will afford themselves the first week of play-off football off.

Meanwhile Hora Hora had plenty to celebrate on Saturday night as they picked up a rare win, claiming a tight 26-24 win over Northern Wairoa in front of a home crowd.

While Hora Hora are well and truly out of the play-off hunt, the loss will severely hurt Northern Wairoa's chances of making the top six.

Had Northern Wairoa won, they would have been safe but now they must win at least one of their next two.

Also hurting their chances on the weekend with a loss was Moerewa who went down 34-6 to the table-topping Takahiwai side.

If Moerewa were able to pull off the upset, it would have heated up the race for the final play-off spot considerably as the current top six are virtually guaranteed of making the play-offs.

In the weekend's final MultiKai Cooker Premiership clash, Muriwhenua proved well and truly too strong for Kerikeri as they ran out winners 52-10.

MultiKai Cooker Premiership
Hikurangi 8 Otangarei 6
Hora Hora 26 Northern Wairoa 24
Hokianga 26 Portland 20
Takahiwai 34 Moerewa 6
Muriwhenua 52 Kerikeri 10