CLUB RUGBY - High scores and high shots as a cool ref stars

The best Bay of Islands' players benefited from having a rest last week, putting in some startling performances on Saturday that resulted in one-sided scores.
Moerewa were far too strong for a feeble Kaikohe/Okaihau, rolling them 88-0, Kaeo thumped Otiria 47-0 and Ohaeawai made short work of Otiria 53-0.
But the standout display of the round was seen at the Kerikeri Sports Complex when United Kawakawa met Kerikeri - and it came from referee Kyal Collins.
In a game that had more high hits than a boxing title fight at altitude, Collins remained calm, in control and was superb in managing to keep the majority of the mainly Tongan UK players on the park.
He called them in when it counted, laid down the law and calmed fired-up heads for as long as could be asked of any one man. He refused sideline bays for blood, but condemned to the bin when required.
In fact, UK coach David Latu needs to buy Collins a beer. Despite the 36-6 score, if Collins hadn't sorted it out early, UK may have been down to 13 players in the first half and not just for the last 10 minutes, as was the case.
Kerikeri can walk away from the loss with their heads held high, albeit with a lingering fear of having them knocked off.
The home side never shied away from a hit, and did not fail to raise a hand when the ball needed taking up.
However, when UK decide to turn it on and toss the ball there's no stopping them up this way and no better team to watch.
Kerikeri put themselves under pressure early and allowed UK to bang it up through the big men before first-five Ardz Simona dummied his way through to score. Leamanu Fine converted, 7-0.
But with a solid wind behind him, Kerikeri's Mike Cook drove his side forward with the boot and some smart and determined grind from the pack made Kerikeri competitive.
If not for a string of missed penalties - Cook only able to land two - his side would have gone to the break pretty much on par.
And while territory was in their favour, the wayward chances were compounded by a Fine penalty and a late first-half try to number 8 Lisate Hauhau. At the break UK turned up 15-6, and with a wind, still fresh, at their backs.
Kerikeri's loosies of Jason Jurisich, Hayden Jolly and Martin Yates, along with Cook, Billy Slade and later Ray Edwards in the backs, continued their ferocious tackling to try and contain the runners, but UK just had too much firepower in attack.
Second-five Shannon Williams scored straight after the break and when fullback Simon Latu broke through, beat two and ran in Pita Lakai, the game was won 29-6. Then good UK pressure turned to luck and the ball popped into Penaia Molimoli's hands to score for the 36-6 scoreline ... before all hell broke loose and Collins stood up again.
Players were left all over the park forcing Collins' hand.
He put a second UK player to the bin and then gave the fullback Latu red for a late high shot.