Top of the table Portland Blazers got another wake up call when they lost their second game on the trot in a fraught game against City Hawks at Kensington Stadium.
Portland are still two points ahead of Raumanga with two rounds to play in the Super City Basketball Competition, but the
Blazer's once comfortable lead is getting a little less cushy as teams make a late bid to advance up the ladder.
City shot out to an early lead in Friday's round 10 game, dominating the first quarter with a 25-11 lead. The Hawks shot the ball well, with both bench and the starting line up firing, playing confidently.
By the third quarter the Hawks had pushed their lead out to 30 points with relentless attacking play. But the intensity started to take its toll.
The Hawks' bigs Tre Fong and Joel McKenty were fouled out as was Joe Clarke. Portland started to claw their way back and with two minutes to go, Portland were just five points behind City. City slowed the pace and managed to extend their lead again, and won 97-83.
Travis McIlroy top-scored for City with 38 points, while Kane Rudolph shot 25.
Raumanga Royals, boosted by their win over Portland last weekend, continued their winning streak with a narrow 88-79 victory over Kaikohe Cougars.
The Royals applied pressure from the outset, forcing turnovers, and led 46-34 at halftime but Kaikohe fought back strongly in the third quarter and closed the gap to trail by six points. However, point guard Corey Te Tai reorganised Raumanga on the court and helped the team to get out of trouble, putting up 23 points.
Shooting guard Hohua Steadman made his debut for Kaikohe a memorable one, shooting 19 points.
The win came at a cost for Raumanga, who will be without key point scorer Caleb Henare for their round 11 game against the Hawks on Saturday. Henare was called on his fifth technical foul this season, and copped an automatic one game suspension.
Kamo Stars are still winless this season, after going down to Maunu Lights 92-66.
Ethan Penney was solid for Maunu, racking up 25 points, while Kamo debutant Torian Foster top-scored for his new team with 19 points.
