Waipu's Sam McNamara lines up the Hora Hora defensive line as they picked up the 23-22 Bayleys Premier win. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE
Waipu's Sam McNamara lines up the Hora Hora defensive line as they picked up the 23-22 Bayleys Premier win. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE
A one-point margin was enough for Waipu to pick up a valuable four points and move into the Bayleys Premier top four.
Waipu travelled to take on one of the form sides in Hora Hora and walked away with the 23-22 victory.
Victory has been tough to come by at Hora Hora RFC for visiting teams and with conditions not exactly being conducive to running rugby, a real battle was to be had.
Waipu were sitting on the edge of the top four heading into the second half of the regular season and were looking to force their way back into playoff position.
Sam McNamara and Matthew Jensen were strong performers for Waipu while Hora Hora blindside flanker James Carleton was a steadying influence for the home side.
However it was a strong performance from Ben Mathers that ultimately proved the difference.
Mathers picked up the first try for Waipu, a brilliant solo effort from 40 metres out where the defence found no way to stop him, before his accuracy from the kicking tee came to the fore.
Waipu player Tevita Koroinamu about to hit the ground as Hora Hora's Doug Te Puni Jr tracks him. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE
The first five marshalled his troops around the park as well as converting his own try as well as one after Lucas Albonoz's five pointer before adding a trio of penalty goals to give him a match haul of 18.
Hora Hora performed admirably but ultimately couldn't land the decisive blow, settling instead for a bonus point.
Meanwhile Kerikeri put on their best attacking display of the season as they routed Otamatea 73-26 in their first of four straight home matches.
Kerikeri have been impressive all year and have moved themselves within a bonus point win of the top four thanks to an irrepressible performance with ball in hand to which Otamatea lacked an answer.
Otamatea managed to pick up four tries themselves so they didn't go away empty-handed but the 47-drubbing will sting.
At the other end of the ladder, Kamo improved to 10 wins and no losses after battling away against a committed Hikurangi outfit.
The 31-21 result, combined with Hora Hora's loss, has put them eight points clear at the top of the leaderboard.
Kamo and Hora Hora will do battle in a top of the table clash next week which could put Kamo in an almost unassailable position at the head of the ladder.
Old Boys Marist closed the gap on Hora Hora while simultaneously fostering Mid Northern's departure from the top four with their 36-14 win.
OBM proved far too good as they moved within four points of second place.
In the final match of the round, Wellsford eased past Western Sharks 24-10 to grab their third win of the year.
Bayleys Northland Club Rugby resultsPremier: Kerikeri 73-26 Otamatea Hikurangi 21-31 Kamo Hora Hora 22-23 Waipu Mid Northern 14-36 OBM Wellsford 24-10 Sharks
Premier Reserve: Kerikeri 24-5 Otamatea Hikurangi 0-17 Kamo Mid Northern 36-22 OBM Wellsford 28-3 Sharks Hora Hora vs. Waipu - result not received
North Zone: Kaitaia 17-30 Kaikohe Moerewa/United Kawakawa 83-5 Panguru Otiria 10-55 Awanui Te Rarawa 18-7 Ohaeawai/Okaihau Kaeo vs. Eastern - result not received
South Zone: Mid Western 101-10 Dargaville Old Boys Pipiwai 7-38 Southern Mangakahia 18-21 Tomarata Whangaruru vs. Kaihu - result not received
