A solid 38-all draw with the Hikurangi Stags underlines how far the City Knights have progressed this season.
Last week, the Knights beat joint leaders Takahiwai and on Saturday almost added the defending champions to their list of scalps, until the visitors roared back in the second half to rescuea draw.
"We got hammered in the first round by Hikurangi so we were motivated ... and we rushed out to a 20-lead in the first half but then they came back at us, like we knew they would ... but we couldn't hold them out," Knights' coach John Hunapo said.
The draw against the highly-rated Stags was a reminder of how well the Knights are playing. "In the end, a few decisions that might have gone our way didn't ... so I think we were a bit unlucky [not to win] but we'll take the draw and learn from it," Hunapo said.
"We're getting there, we are building and the boys are really learning and they'll take plenty from today."
The side are hoping to continue their recent form and now can dare to openly talk about a playoff place.
"We're quietly confident that we can make the top six. I mean, that's our aim but we'll take things as they come," the coach said.
Halves Linn Hunapo and Jordan Katene were standouts with the ball, driving the team around but City once again got great mileage out of their forward pack with former Hokianga veteran Jackson Katene - Jordan's father - steadying the ship when the young team wavered.
The point was good enough to move City into sixth place, while Hikurangi now sit fourth.
Takahiwai just averted a second straight loss beating Portland Panthers 22-20 in a thriller to climb into joint second alongside Moerewa, who broke a run of defeats with a 56-10 win over Kerikeri.
Competition leaders Northern Wairoa were too strong at home winning 40-14 against Hora Hora. They maintain their lead in the competition.
Hokianga Pioneers did their playoff chances no harm with a 50-20 win over Otaua Valley and now are one point behind Northern Wairoa in one the tightest competitions in recent years.
