LEAGUE - Portland stage fightback to overpower Kaikohe Lions

Portland stamped their mark in the Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League premiership defeating the Kaikohe Lions at Portland in a second-half comeback.
To win Saturday's match against last year's runners-up in the first match of the second round was crucial for Portland's confidence levels, with reigning premiers Takahiwai up next weekend.
During the first half, Portland struggled when Kaikohe found momentum and rolled over the hosts to score successive tries and lead 14-10 at the break, but come the second stanza, it was a different ball game.
Infused with players stepping up for the first time this season, including second-rower Dain Guttenbeil, Portland jelled to win 44-28.
"It was a good hard game for us," coach Craig Bird said.
As always, Bird was complimentary and supportive of his troops.
"Dain had a big game at second row," he said.
The younger brother of former Kiwi and Warriors player Awen Guttenbeil, Bird said he was pleased to have Dain back in the team for the rest of the season.
Dave Lees, who has recently joined Portland, scooted in to score a couple of tries, and Bird said it was great to also have the hard-running centre onboard.
Loose forward Michael Salise was unstoppable with the ball, running in a hat-trick, while standoff Charles Shelford, who converted six goals for Portland, "pretty much ran the game from his position", Bird said.
Kirk Henare was among the standouts, having rejoined the side since early in the first round.
"We are slowly getting our players back at the right end of the season," Bird said.
With Takahiwai up next for the second time this year, the win could not have come at a better time for Portland, who lost the Pitman Trophy - a trophy the two clubs play for each time they meet - in round one.
"It's a big game for us and we just want to improve on the last time we played them - we got whipped, 64-12," Bird said.
Portland were not the only ones who put their hands up as the second round commenced.
Takahiwai coach Mark Freeman said his unbeaten troops were tested by Moerewa in what was the best game they had played this year.
Moerewa, who won against Kaikohe 26-14 last weekend in a round one rematch, led for almost the entire game on their home ground until the last five minutes, when Takahiwai executed a thrilling comeback to win 28-24, Freeman said.
"It's games like that we train all the time for ... they [Moerewa] have put a good unit together," he said.
It was now, as the second round got under way, that teams would throw all they had got at Takahiwai - as the premiers had set the standard of the competition to date, Freeman predicted.
That would start next weekend with Portland.
"I can guarantee the fact they will be a test for us next weekend - they could lose all year, but this is the game they want," Freeman said.
"We took it off them earlier this year - they took it off us in round two last year. I would say Mr Bird has been preparing the guys for this one."
Meanwhile, Wairoa hosted Hikurangi and started strongly to lead 16-12 at halftime.
A see-saw game followed, but the visitors came up trumps winning 28-26.
Bay Slayers were at home against City Knights and thumped the newcomers to the competition, 76-8.
Next week Wairoa are away to Bay Slayers, while Hikurangi play City Knights at Otangarei.
Moerewa face Kaikohe at Kaikohe and Portland host Takahiwai.
All games kick off at 2.30pm.