The timing, angles of running, and accuracy of the passing - all of that was pretty much bang-on. Handling errors and at times sloppy defence blighted Waipu's game and handed the hosts opportunities to pile more pressure - and points.
The endeavour of Waipu players couldn't be faulted, but honest toil isn't enough to get anywhere at any level in rugby.
That's a bare minimum expectation, especially for a Waipu side that has won five on the trot prior to last weekend's loss.
"That's not the real Waipu premier team. I've never seen so many unforced errors and we'll look to rectify them," Wells summed up as his team's performance.
Those errors must be rectified because Waipu host the in-form Old Boys' Marist this weekend - a team Wells acknowledged was "a bloody good side", but not unbeatable.
A moment's silence was observed by both sides before kick-off to acknowledge the passing of Dargaville rugby stalwarts Daniel "Blackie" Walters and Ian Condon.
Mid Northern played a territorial game, forced Waipu into mistakes, and used their bigger tight-five led by hooker Jordan Olsen and props Chris Apoua and Thomas Dwyer to punch holes into the opposition defence.
Olsen barged his way over the tryline just four minutes into the match before centre James Cherrington sliced his way through some sloppy Waipu defence to double his team's lead.
Waipu had a good chance to attack off a scrum 11m inside the Mid Northern half, but halfback Lewis Ward knocked the ball while trying to flick a pass.
A double loop move following a Mid Northern scrum led to the team's third try to fullback fullback Levi Clarke.
Lanky blindside flanker Tale Tane also got his name on the scoresheet after capitalising on a Waipu mistake on the stroke of half time.
Waipu hooker Ben Tou scored his team's first try five minutes into the second half after barging his way to the tryline.
Tireless first-five Livs Takau scored the second try under the posts after a grubber kick by Mid Northern was charged down.
Mid Northern coach Craig Edwards was ecstatic with the win and praised Olsen, Josh Larsen, and 17-year-old centre Judah Andrews for outstanding play.
"We built pressure right from the start. The forwards kept going forward with the backs finishing off. It was a good day for running rugby," he said.
His team will host Wellsford at the same venue on Saturday.
