League: Takahiwai scramble to victory

Takahiwai's Charlie Tarau aims to keep Northern Wairoa's Shelford Edwards at arms length. Photo/John Stone

Despite leaking points in the first half, Takahiwai steadied themselves to hold on for their third win in a row in the Rugby League Northland MultiKai Cooker Premiership.

Defeated finalists last year, the Takahiwai Warriors showed they know how to score tries as they beat the Northern Wairoa Bulls 54-34.

Coach Mark Freeman has returned to the team for the first time since Takahiwai last won the premiership, saying he was happy with how his side had begun the season.

"It was a bit of an ugly first half," Freeman said of Saturday's win, saying they leaked more points than they had hoped. "[But] we sort of came right in the second half."

In particular Freeman noted Takahiwai's ability to still get the wins despite having several injuries at this early stage of the season.

"We've got a few injuries at the moment so we have been scrambling with just a few on the bench the last couple weeks

"Our fitness overall isn't too bad in comparison to the other teams."

He said players who particularly impressed him on Saturday were forwards Sid Akatea and Joel Freeman, with the later having returned home after playing league for the Vulcans in Auckland.

In the backs Freeman noted the contributions of Charlie Tarau.

Of Freeman's move back to Northland after three years away he said he was enjoying back in Takahiwai.

Meanwhile in other Premiership results, the Otangarei Knights picked up their first win of the season with a 22-12 win over the Moerewa Tigers.

The Hikurangi Stags continued their rebuilding as a team with a 36-6 win over newcomers Kerikeri. Previous newcomers, the Hora Hora Broncos, suffered a 32-18 loss to the Hokianga Pioneers.

The Portland Panthers, like Takahiwai, also continued a successful start to the season as they ran out 40-10 winners over Muriwhenua Kuaka.