Carpenter's return inspires comeback by Mid Northern

Inspired by Derek Carpenter's return from injury, Mid Northern won a game of two halves against Wellsford to remain in third place on the premier grade table.
The defending champions trailed 27-6 at halftime at Hukerenui on Saturday, resulting in a few "stern" words and some changes by the Mid Northern coaching staff during the break.
The second half went the home side's way with Carpenter coming on 10 minutes into the spell and having a blinder after almost a year on the sidelines.
"He was outstanding, he put players into gaps and all of a sudden we were going forward like we should have been in the first half," Mid Northern co-coach Craig Edwards said.
The addition of Quentin Cooper and Jamie McQueen into the side also helped their comeback efforts as they scored 27 unanswered points to win 33-27.
Mid Western and Hora Hora remain on equal points on the top of the table after both sides won - 39-17 over Hikurangi and 48-0 over Old Boys respectively.
"We didn't play as well as last week but still got the job done, our forwards dominated theirs at times in the scrums in particular, and at least got parity everywhere else and we had them in the backs," Mid Western coach Simon Cauty said.
Hikurangi were without loose forwards Joel McKenty and Eric Wihongi and struggled to gain enough possession to fight their way back into the match.
Mid Western led 24-3 at the break and after they put the game safely out of reach, Cauty rolled out the bench which gave Hikurangi a chance to add some respectability to the scoreline late in the match.
After losing first five-eighth Jack McPhee and second five-eighth Luke Voss to injury and with influential No8 Rukuwai Waata unavailable, Hora Hora started their match against Old Boys with some apprehension.
But they needn't have worried. The injury plagued Old Boys couldn't stop Alan Nesbit in the heart of a rolling maul in the opening minutes of the game and that set the tone for the match, which was virtually won by halftime.
Turiki Tahuri and John Graham filled in for McPhee and Voss admirably and winger Isimeli Levuimata came away with a fistful of tries as the co-leaders coasted to a big win.
Marist found it tougher going against an improving Otamatea Hawks side but still came away with the points 46-12.
Results and premier grade table - sport details Page 7.