League: Takahiwai leave it late for Premiership win over Otangarei

Takahiwai's Nicholas Schuster prepares to take on the Otangarei defensive line in their RLN Premiership clash at Fishbone Park. Photo / Michael Cunningham

A late Kyle Hool try has ended Otangarei Knights' unbeaten run in the 2018 RLN Premiership.

Takahiwai Warriors left it until the final two minutes to seal a 24-22 victory.

Takahiwai got off to a flier, scoring on their first attacking set. Standout halfback Jesse Epiha combined with fullback Hori Tuhoro to complete a well-taken try after a pinpoint grubber from the playmaker.

Otangarei have been in dominant form all season and quickly restored parity as centre Dominique Ormsby eased through a huge gap on the left edge for their opening four-pointer.

The home field advantage started paying its dues for Otangarei who again made a surge into Takahiwai territory. Sonny Moke delicately placed a chip kick into open space on the right-hand side of the field, which LaMon Takena gladly pounced on.

A midfield struggle ensued after the try as neither side could breach the other's defences in a true battle between two of the competition's premier outfits.

Eventually something had to give and again it was Epiha to the fore, finding second-rower Deane Tuhoro on a beautiful short ball to give the visitors the lead.

Before the break, however, Otangarei winger Bryce Rauahi came up with a spectacular individual effort to restore their lead.

After finding space on the outside of his opposite marker, Rauahi sprinted 50 metres and shrugged off the covering Hori Tuhoro to cross the line.

Otangarei came out from the break firing, scoring immediately after a chip from O7 got a fortunate bounce into Lance Edmonds' arms.

Fullback Vincent Paul then found a passage through the Takahiwai defensive line, drawing in his opposite number and passing to Moke to score and extend their lead to 22-10.

Takahiwai now were firmly on the back foot and were struggling to find their way through a resolute Otangarei wall of defenders.

But Hori Tuhoro continued his impressive outing, smashing over for his second of the afternoon and bringing the game to within eight points.

Both sides found themselves on the verge of a game-changing try but could not land the killer blow until Takahiwai centre Taine-Lee Shelford broke through three tackles to score.

All the momentum had swung in Takahiwai's favour and it seemed to be a matter of when, not if, they'd score the game winner.

It was only a few minutes later that standoff Kyle Hool scored the final try before Hori Tuhoro's conversion sealed the two points.

Meanwhile Moerewa Tigers moved within one point of Takahiwai at the top of the ladder with a resounding 64-0 win over Portland Panthers.

Moerewa found their groove early on attack and snuffed out every Portland attacking win on their charge to victory.

In the final match of the round Hora Hora Broncos and Northern Wairoa Bulls played out an enthralling 28-28 draw.

Hora Hora were desperate in their search of their first win of the season and almost pulled it off, but Northern Wairoa matched them try for try.