CLUB RUGBY - Cut-above Wellsford backs carve Kamo defence apart

Wellsford proved too good for their Kamo counterparts in the Southern Districts premier grade competition, taking a one-point lead on the table with a 35-17 win.
Wellsford played with a balance that would be envied by most teams in the competition, with their backs responsible for scoring all but one of their five tries. But it was their forwards who deserved praise as they kept the highly-rated Kamo pack from controlling the game.
Strengthened by Blue's utility Rene Ranger, the Wellsford backs were a cut above their opponents, although Kamo improved in that area as the game progressed.
Ranger set-up the first try for Patrick Morrison after a Kamo clearance failed to find touch in the 11th minute. The second try followed two minutes later, when full-back Matt Wright timed a blind-side run to perfection, drew the marker and fed Ranger's brother Joe-Joe to score untouched.
Blindside flanker Henry Haukinima took the score to 18-0 when the Wellsford scrum caught their Kamo opposites off balance near their goal line and blindside flanker Henry Haukinima picked up the ball and powered over from close range. The half-time score was 20-3 after Ricky East kicked a late penalty for Kamo.
The second half saw Gus Collins make his first match for Kamo since last year and he made an immediate impact. Kamo's forwards suddenly lifted and Wellsford were pinned in their own half for most of the third quarter.
It was where the match was won for Wellsford. Despite being starved of the ball they defended well and Kamo weren't able to finish off several scoring opportunities. In contrast, the first chance that Wellsford had in the spell produced their bonus point try, with Ranger grabbing the first of his two tries in the 62nd minute.
Kamo's forwards finally got reward for their hard work with replacement Scott Griffin mauled over with 10 minutes to go. Any thoughts of a comeback were squashed with Ranger's second try, while Kamo hooker Jackie Tango crashed over with time almost up for a consolation try.
Wellsford captain Scott Brady was pleased with the side's defence and in particular the forwards' fitness, with only one replacement made in the pack.
"It was a real good win, we've got a couple of stars but most of the team have been together three years now and we're slowly building ... in the past three years we've struggled when our rep players have left, so that's what we're trying to do this year - build extra depth in the club."
Kamo captain Steve Baker said his side was still improving and they were able to take positives from the match.
"In the first half we made too many basic mistakes, like kicking the ball down their throat, and Wellsford love a counter attack, so that hurt us," he said.
"They got there tails up and put a few points on us and we probably had three or four periods of 10-15 minutes where we were all go and everything was clicking, but it was just those lapses in concentration, wrong decisions or errors, and they capitalised on that."
* Two still unbeaten
Four teams started the Joe Morgan Memorial rugby competition unbeaten this weekend but only the Western Sharks and Wellsford came through the third round unscathed.
Wellsford go top by virtue of an extra bonus point but it may be a surprise to see the Western Sharks in second place after they beat Old Boys 26-3.
The Sharks have acquired prop Stan Biddle to strengthen their front row and the rest of their pack is on song at the moment. On Saturday Old Boys were starved of possession but still earned top marks for their defence and were only trailing 3-14 until they conceded two tries in the final minutes of the game.
After a first-up loss to the Sharks, Hikurangi posted Mid Northern's first defeat of the competition with a 25-13 win to improve their standing.
The loose forward trio of Matt White, Eric Abrahams and Brad Christensen led the late charge that secured the points for Hikurangi at home.
Hora Hora got off to what is becoming a normal start for them this year - they were down 28-3 after 16 minutes, before recovering somewhat, to be defeated by Marist 49-25.
It was Marist's first win of the conmpetition but no such luck for Waipu, who were well beaten at home by Mid Western 47-3.
" NORTHLAND
Southern District Premiers: Marist 49 (T Jurgensen (2), C Andrews (2) D Goodwin, M Wallace, J Walker tries, T Jurgensen 2 conversions Q Butler 5 con) Hora Hora 25 (A Baigent (2), A Nesbit, I Levuimata, R Watts pen, con); Kamo 15 (S Griffin, J Tango, tries R East pen, con) Wellsford 32 (P Morrison, JJ Ranger, H Haukinima, R Ranger (2) pen, Matt Wright); Western Sharks 26 (M McCully, S Palu, C Williamson, T Tuceluka) Old Boys 3; Hikurangi 25 (R Caine, B Christensen, M Southee, H Ford 2 pen, 2 con) Mid Northern 13 (J Witehira, T Labindon tries, D Holwell con, pen); Waipu 3 Mid Western 47.
Reserves: Hora Hora 12 Marist 5; Kamo 24 Wellsford 29; Western Sharks 10 Old Boys 10; Hikurangi 14 Mid Northern 27; Waipu 10 Mid Western 25.