League: Otaua down high flying Falcons

Otaua took their biggest scalp of the Whangarei and Districts Rugby League competition by taking down third-placed Muriwhenua Falcons 42-28.

The win moves Otaua off the bottom of the table and makes it three wins from four games in the second round. It is a sign of how far they have come in the competition after they waited until the final game of the round to claim their first win.

Their renaissance was given a much needed boost by their second-half effort led by the Tohu brother centre pairing of Rongoa and Hamuera.

The first half went according to the script for the visitors with the Kaitaia club leading 22-12 at the break.

The home side started the second half well with ill-discipline and impatience costing the Falcons dearly as they allowed Otawa to get a role on and find gaps out wide.

Kaitaia coach John Tahana said it was a good second half performance by Otaua.

"They played out of their skins, we thought we might have the wood on them in fitness but they never let up and looked like they could beat anyone on their day," he said.

Otaua now sit in 11th place on the table ahead of Kaikohe, thanks to a superior points differential, and are poised to be one of the upwardly mobile teams of the second round if they can continue to build on their strong home form.

Kaikohe failed to add to their point total, going down 64-14 on the road at Hokianga, while fellow strugglers Hora Hora were also heavily beaten by Takahiwai 68-4.

Hikurangi keep their season ticking along with a comfortable 52-20 win over Marist, while Moerewa remain comfortable in second after triumphing 44-20 over an injury hit City Knights.

Bay Slayers pushed Northern Wairoa hard in Dargaville but in the end it wasn't enough and they were beaten 22-14 .