Saturday was crunch time for the Hikurangi Stags and the Portland Panthers premier teams in their bids to secure the coveted fourth place spot in the Rugby League Northland Premiership table.
With the big three Takahiwai, Otangarei and Moerewa, virtually assured of playoff spots the opposing teams at Hikurangi went into the match placed fourth and fifth respectively with Portland having a more favourable points differential and recent good form.
Stags' intention was clear from the outset when coach Steve Rau donned a playing uniform to show his younger players how it was done.
The visitors were jumped early by a reinvigorated home side. Racing out to notch up two tries in the first 12 minutes, the Stags showed they were prepared to use the ball and boot to stretch the opposition's defence.
It was the third try that seemed to have sealed it. After working the visitors back from limited time in their red zone, the last ball option went through many hands before being sent back at pace to the left, where it arrived in the hands of rugged second rower Dixie Harris.