Former strugglers turn tables in first round

Hora Hora half back David McDonald clears from the rear of the ruck during the first game of the season. PHOTO/RON BURGIN

The TAB would have lost a bundle on the opening round of the Southern Districts Premier Club Rugby competition had they taken bets, with major upsets recorded by two of the 2013 also-rans.

It's hard to figure out which result caused the most head scratching around the region: Waipu's 34-14 away victory over Kamo or Otamatea's 49-10 spanking of Mid Western at Maungakaramea. Throw in Hora Hora's 31-25 result against 2013 champions Mid Northern 31-25 and it was an intriguing opening round.

Otamatea coach Dean Kenny said the 2013 semifinalists had no inkling that they were being lined up in an Otamatea ambush on Friday night.

"It was good to see the boys didn't get too fancy and stuck to the game plan we'd put in place for the game and even better to see the big smiles on the faces of our supporters, who are used to seeing us lose against Mid Western," he said.

It was the first victory over Mid Western in Otamatea's recent turn in the premier grade and to do it in such an emphatic fashion was pleasing for Kenny and forwards coach Nathan Jacoby.

Matt Moulds was inspirational leading a powerful forward performance while Northland first five Dan Hawkins directed the show in the backs.

"But the grunt work was done by what I call the drones - who aren't the superstars - but were in the thick of things and they made the difference on Friday," Kenny said.

Kamo were sixth last year and Waipu the wooden spooners but despite a good start for the home side, Waipu were the better side on show on Saturday.

The Kamo forwards laid down a good platform early in the game but it wasn't long until the Waipu backs found some space. Brook Gilmore and Ben Macken were at the forefront as the backs cut up the Magpies defence to engineer a 20-14 half-time lead.

Kamo still had a shot in the third quarter but better overall fitness allowed the visitors to control the rest of the game.

The remaining fixtures followed the form book. Old Boys ran out 18-5 winners at home over Hikurangi with Ethan Crutcher leading the way as his pack shaded Hikurangi's forwards, while Wellsford played out a comfortable 40-10 victory at home over the Western Sharks.

The Sharks were uncharacteristically sloppy in the first spell, trailing 28-0 at halftime with each of the Wellsford front row, Mike McDonald, Joe Treadwell and hooker Paddy Joe Atkins scoring first-half tries.