Hikurangi outlasts Portland

It was a great first season for Craig [Bird] and the coaching staff to make the top four and hopefully next year we'll repeat it and go a bit further.Jason Hita, Portland assistant coach Portland's hopes of ending the Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League competition on a high note  died when Hikurangi triumphed in  a minor semifinal clash at Jubilee Park.
The 20-14 victory set Hikurangi, who finished fourth behind Portland on the table, up for an encounter with Takahiwai who lost their major semifinal with Moerewa, also at Jubilee Park on Saturday.
Hikurangi skipper Darren Henare said his side had lifted in difficult conditions for the tough game against a solid Portland outfit.
"For a few weeks now we have played on a dry track so it was a bit hard to play our style today," he said.
The skipper was proud of his troops, who had turned up the intensity at training since making the playoffs, and would continue to do so for the upcoming preliminary final, he said.
"It's all knockouts now. We've beaten every team up there and we are keen and confident in our own ability."
The sides were  8-all at halftime after  Innocent Tuimavave scored two unconverted tries for Hikurangi, while Portland's Chris Farrell and Robert Nathan ran in one each, also unconverted.
 Portland dominated the early part of the second half, going close to scoring on several occasions but  wasted  opportunities  through basic errors.
Hikurangi's James Rapana pounced when Portland lost the ball and scored out wide and with Caleb Henare's conversion, the Stags took the lead, 14-8.
Portland answered  straight away, Michael Salise  carting it up before flicking the ball on to Justin Paniona, who crossed the line.  Charles Shelford levelled the score with his conversion.
Following the opposition's lead, Hikurangi were ready and waiting at the restart and Jarom Wihongi Henare put the gas on to cross the line, extending their lead. The try went unconverted but a penalty minutes later gave them a six-point buffer.
Tensions rose when Portland reached 10m out from the tryline but blew the chance to score, losing the ball forward and the game - 20-14 to Hikurangi.
Portland assistant coach Jason Hita said although it wasn't the best ending, the year was a huge success for the club, which is rebuilding.
"It was a great first season for Craig [Bird] and the coaching staff to make the top four and hopefully next year we'll repeat it and go a bit further."
In the major semifinal, last year's premiers Takahiwai were thumped 24-4 by a tight Moerewa outfit.
This year's minor premiers stepped up their defence, which was lacking during the last few weeks, assistant coach James Wilcox said.
"It was a tight game which we won with our defence - everyone really picked up their D," he said.
Jock Parata claimed the player of the day mantle with his solid work in the backline and Moerewa's "go forward" William Wiki stood out producing some big hits and making up yards, Wilcox said.
The Tigers take a break this weekend and go to support neighbours at Moerewa Rugby Club in the Bay of Islands Sub Union grand final against United Kawakawa before lining up against the winner - Takahiwai or Hikurangi - of Saturday's  last shot for the rugby league grand final on August 15.