Pressure on Old Boys Marist while Hora Hora extend unbeaten run

Old Boys Marist centre Issa Nawaqa scored his side's first try during their 27-12 loss. Photo/Tania Newman

Old Boys Marist let a one-point deficit at half time slip away as Hora Hora maintained their unbeaten run in the Bayleys Southern Districts Premier Competition, winning 32-12 at home.

Hora Hora were their usual attacking self as winger Dougie Te Puni jinked and stepped his way through the Old Boys Marist defence out wide to score the first points.

But Old Boys Marist weren't about to let Te Puni or Taniwha second-five Vili Tahitu'a scare them, with the latter breaking tackles all over the place on Saturday.

Old Boys Marist hit back through the size and speed of centre and former Northland representative Issa Nawaqa to leave the match in the balance 8-7 at the break.

However, in the second spell Hora Hora turned it on with their size and speed to break away from the visitors.

The loss means Old Boys Marist has even more pressure on them after Mid Northern scored a big 54-12 win over Mid Western, Waipu beat the Western Sharks 54-27 and Otamatea won 42-10 against Kamo. Also winning on the weekend was Wellsford, who beat Hikurangi 61-5. To see the points table for both premier and premier reserve grades, keep an eye out in tomorrow's Northern Advocate.

Earlier in the day, the Old Boys Marist premier reserve side knocked over Hora Hora 13-7 in what was the game of the weekend for the grade.

Results:
Southern Districts Premier Grade
Otamatea 42 Kamo 10
Hora Hora 32 Old Boys Marist 12
Mid Northern 54 Mid Western 12
Wellsford 61 Hikurangi 5
Waipu 54 Western Sharks 27

Southern Districts Premier Reserve Grade
Kamo 41 Otamatea 17
Mid Northern 37 Mid Western 8
Wellsford 38 Hikurangi 18
Old Boys Marist 13 Hora Hora 7
Western Sharks 42 Waipu 7