Rugby: Kamo, Hora Hora on top at halfway point

Midfielder Dan Wells breaks the line during Kamo's unbeaten run in the first half of the Bayleys Premier competition. Photo / Tania Whyte

Kamo and Hora Hora have opened a gulf on the Bayleys Premier table at the midway stage of the competition.

With one of the more competitive fields in recent memory, the standard of rugby is at a higher level than in 2017.

Kamo have shown tremendous growth between the 2017 and 2018 season to find themselves unbeaten after nine rounds of action.

The Cam Goodhue-coached outfit has picked up 44 of a possible 45 points so far to put themselves in the box seat for home advantage in the finals.

Northland second-five Blake Hohaia has been an absolute standout in Kamo's midfield as his partnership with Dan Wells has reaped rewards on both sides of the ball.

The leadership of captain Mac Sykes cannot be understated while new flanker Kane Jacobson has been a great addition in the pack.

However the most impressive facet of their game has been their unrelenting defence. Kamo are conceding just over 13 points a match.

Add to that nearly 40 points scored per game and you have a title-winning recipe.

Hora Hora aren't too far behind, only losing once this season (going down 22-13 to Kamo in round two) and making sure their title credentials aren't going unnoticed.

Dominic Ormsby has been strong for Hora Hora, who sit second on the table. Photo / John Stone

They've shown attacking dominance throughout their 2018 campaign, leading the competition in points scored.

Hora Hora are piling up the points at just under 43 per game while they've impressed on the defensive end as well.

Last year's finalists, Old Boys Marist and Mid Northern, round off the top four - though there is a gulf between Hora Hora (40 competition points) and OBM (32).

OBM is looking for three straight titles and have maintained a top four spot, losing just twice and drawing another contest (15-15 against Otamatea in round two).

Mid Northern meanwhile have shown the value of keeping matches tight. Despite winning just three games, to go with one draw, they sit just inside the top four.

They've picked up 12 bonus points across their nine games, keeping them ahead of Waipu who have won two more games.

Waipu are only one point behind them on 25, leaving them on the cusp of a semifinal berth.

Their defensive efforts have been strong throughout their campaign but their middle of the road attacking production (25 points per game) has cost them bonus points.

However they look more than capable of making a run for the final.

The bottom five teams are far stronger than in recent years with Kerikeri and Hikurangi keeping in touch with the top four.

Kerikeri, promoted from the Championship after winning the title last year, have been a surprise package in 2018.

Taking the big scalp of 2017 finalist Mid Northern has proven their abilities and they find themselves seven points behind the top four.

Kerikeri are in the position to make strides up the leaderboard with an extended home run in the next two months.

Five home games in six weeks will help them no end and if they can take advantage of that stay, Kerikeri could make the unprecedented leap from Championship winners to Premier semifinalists.

Hikurangi meanwhile have been plugging away but only two bonus points in nine matches has hampered any progress up the ladder.

Meanwhile Wellsford (12 points), Western Sharks (10) and Otamatea (8) are fighting to remain in the Premier competition at the other end of the ladder.

All three have shown promise in the improved competition but haven't been able to make strides up the leaderboard.

With nine weeks left there is plenty on the line for all teams. Final spots are far from confirmed and with the chasing pack playing quality rugby, anything could happen.