Hikurangi run riot against premiers

Hikurangi had a stunning 56-32 win over  Takahiwai in the Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League competition - handing last year's premiers only their second defeat this season and their first loss at home in three years.
"It was a great game - quite topsy turvy for most of it," Hikurangi manager Jim Lees said.
The first half was tight,  each side holding the lead briefly before Hikurangi took a 28-20 lead into halftime.
"Then we made our comeback - all the way," rejoiced Lees, whose side was boosted with the return of Caleb Henare, a second rower, and centre Jerome Wihongi-Henare, back from a stint in Auckland.
The duo scored two tries apiece, as did Israel Tahere and Hikurangi's standoff Joe Roe, back from a shoulder injury which sidelined him for the past three weeks.
"The whole team lifted for the game - it was really good to see them play like that and with our players back plus five home games during the run home we will only get better," Lees said.
"It was a good feeling to beat Takahiwai especially as they haven't been beaten on their home ground for three years," he emphasised.
Last week, table leaders Takahiwai suffered their first defeat this year, at the hands of Portland, but for coach Mark Freeman, the losses highlighted the need for his side to stay hungry and keep producing good football every week.
"Mark loves to see football played well - it's not good for any side to think they are unbeatable. Imagine if that was the final and they lost," Lees said.
City Knights travelled to Portland and put in a valiant effort against their hosts.
Portland coach Craig Bird complimented the visitors saying it was a talent-laden side with huge potential.
"If they give their coach [Donald Birchall] the time, they will be a real force next year," he said.
Although Portland won 64-4, it was not a rollover, they had to work hard for the points, Bird said.
Skipper Charles Lawrence and Chris Farrell, who had a hugely improved game on the wing, both ran in hat-tricks, while Boo Nathan had his first game back from injury and was named player of the day.
Maxwell Tauranga also made his debut for Portland after switching from Auckland's Ponsonby club.
A physical match at Moerewa came down to the wire between the hosts and Bay Slayers. Both sides stepped up for the game, but Moerewa denied the visitors victory, sneaking in to win by two points during the closing minutes. Frustrations were vented when the referee did not show up for the match between Kaikohe Lions and Wairoa Bulls, at Kaikohe.
A Wairoa manager and a Kaikohe representative decided to take matters in their own hands and refereed the match themselves. Wairoa lost 52-26.