LEAGUE - Game was a nailbiter but tell me who won

There were several pensive faces in the crowd as the full-time hooter sounded at Tikipunga Park on Saturday. Not everyone knew what the final score was between Portland and Hikurangi and those who did weren't too happy about it either.
In rugby league, few people enjoy a draw and the 28-28 final result robbed a pulsating spectacle of a winner.
It was quickly obvious that neither side were out to take prisoners from the opening set of the game. Portland gained the upper hand in the see-saw match to lead 20-16 at the half-time break, largely by dominating in the battle for the middle of the park. The Stags, by contrast, scored most of their points by going wide.
The second half was characterised by massive defence with several hits bordering on the illegal. Referee Len Phillips had plenty of work to do as tempers flared in the difficult, slippery conditions - just to keep both sides from seeing red.
Not surprisingly, with the level of intensity so high, the actual play turned scrappy with turnovers blighting the third quarter spectacle. Hikurangi took the lead with a clever move down the blind side that saw Steve Rau take the fullback's tackle to put Ngawaru Munro in for his hat-trick try.
Portland regained the advantage in the fourth quarter, with two of their best performers of the match touching down. Michael Salase and Val McDonald added four-pointers to get Portland six points clear but a Ken Palmer try in the final minute gave the Stags an opportunity to draw level.
The conversion attempt fell to Joe Rau, midway between the post and the corner flag. He slotted the kick, ensuring the second round clash at Portland will be another well-attended event.
Portland standoff Jackson Katene said he was disappointed with the result but not the effort of his team, and a quick check around the park seemed to confirm that was the case for most of the players.
The draw further highlights Portland's dramatic turnaround this season. They are just one point behind Takahiwai, with just one weekend of matches remaining in the first round.
Takahiwai struggled to cope with a well organised Northern Wairoa side in the first spell and just had their noses in front at the break. The visitors then found their rhythm in the second spell and pushed on to a 42-24 victory.
Ngawha Saints moved into third place on the championship table on points differential over Kaikohe, after they subdued Moerewa Tigers 16-0. Conditions at the prison didn't help the Tigers' offloading game and it was the Saints defence that dominated.
Kaikohe Lions outmuscled an understrength Marist Brothers in the first half at Blue Goose on Saturday but the home side kept playing to their credit. They were eventually able to mount something of a second half comeback and trailed by just 48-28 at the final whistle.