Big hits as Takahiwai tame Lions in the rain

It was 12-10 at halftime and Kaikohe came and had a go in the last 20 minutes - but we kept chipping away. We played reasonably for the conditions.Mark Freeman, Takahiwai coachDINKUS2
Some big hits sounded over the lashing rain on Saturday, as old foes Kaikohe Lions and Takahiwai clashed in round three of the Whangarei City and Districts competition.
Both sides dished out solid defence during a replay of last year's grand final at Takahiwai, as the teams battled out an 80-minute romp in wet and slippery conditions.
At the end of the soggy affair, it was the 2008 premiers Takahiwai who came up trumps, winning 28-18.
Coach Mark Freeman said he could not have asked for much more from his troops, who were without the experience of fullback Jamie Erceg and centre Horrie Tohoro through injury, as well as Nick Godfrey, who is currently overseas.
"I'm pretty happy to take a win against Kaikohe this early in the season," he said.
"I'm sure when we meet Kaikohe in the second round at Kaikohe things won't be that easy."
Considering the wet conditions, and the many new faces in his team, Freeman said he was pleased with the hitout.
"It was 12-10 at halftime and Kaikohe came and had a go in the last 20 minutes - but we kept chipping away. We played reasonably for the conditions."
Skipper Manu Tohoro, Luke McKinnon, Michael Shearer and Axe Para-Murray all crossed the line for the premiers, as well as 16-year-old hooker Jess Epiha, who has stepped up from the under-16 grade to play senior football.
Despite his youth and size, and copping some big hits, Epiha played with plenty of promise and heart on Saturday.
Both teams were in the same boat, Freeman said, sporting many new faces this season.
While happy with three wins from three, Takahiwai need to work on their organisation, Freeman said.
With the likes of halfback Godfrey away the newbies in the team needed to stand up - and regain their direction, lost in the opening rounds of the competition, he added.
"That's just about the guys getting used to each other," Freeman said.
Meanwhile, in other matches, Bay Slayers are making early noises in the competition, defeating Hikurangi 32-28 in a fiercely contested match at home.
Portland played Moerewa at Portland, with the visitors sneaking away to four-point victory, 26-22. Wairoa racked up a 30-6 win over City Knights at Otangerei.