Moerewa Tigers' veteran David "Porky" Norman provided the impetus for a come-from-behind-victory over Portland Panthers at Simson Park on Saturday that kept his team in the race for the playoffs.
The two teams were locked together in a tight contest in difficult conditions when Norman dummied once, then dummied again before
running 40m to score the match's most telling try.
The muddy park made it tough for both sides to complete their sets in an often scrappy game but Portland, trying to snap a late-season slump that has seen them lose three in a row, started brightly enough to lead 14-4 at the break.
Portland coach Sam TeNamu said his side couldn't find the same form in the second half and were too easily mesmerised by Norman.
"It was a Porky special, he was throwing dummies left right and centre and my boys forgot to tackle the man with the ball and we paid the price," he said.
The 24-14 win to the Tigers now sees them just one point behind fourth-placed Portland on the table with two rounds to play, meaning the league may have to play out the final two rounds with five teams still battling for the four playoffs places. The whisper circulating over the weekend was that the Ngawha Saints may not be permitted to play in the playoffs but Saints coach Joe Henare said no decision had been reached.
"I don't know who started that (rumour) because I haven't even heard anything about it myself yet," Henare said.
The Saints beat Northern Wairoa 32-16 on Saturday and Henare said the team had celebrated the win like they were the minor premiers.
"We didn't expect to finish the competition on top in our first year but we'll take it," he said.
The Saints have a bye next week and if they aren't allowed to compete in the playoffs the league will scrap last week's cancelled round, handing them the minor premiers' title. A final decision is expected at tomorrow night's delegates' meeting.
The Kaikohe Lions-Hikurangi Stags match was the closest of the three matches played on Saturday, with the visitors to Tikipunga Park holding the Stags out 26-22.
An early Stags try set the alarm bells ringing for the Lions and they produced a great first half of rugby league. They dominated the first half, playing into the wind to lead 16-10 at half-time.
The fixture between Marist and Bay Slayers was postponed when Otaika Park was closed.
