LEAGUE - Portland take Bulls by the horns

When Portland started with a flourish, running in two tries in 10 minutes during Saturday's match against the visiting Wairoa Bulls, supporters could be forgiven for thinking their team may just have sorted round six of the Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League.
The Bulls, who snuck in a last-minute try over Moerewa last weekend to win 34-32, had different ideas, however, and centre Patrick Tane saw his chance to score through a gaping hole left open by a relaxed Portland defensive line.
Portland, on a roll after their eight point win against Hikurangi in round five, quickly recovered with a try from young half back Kass Wall, converted by Charles Shelford.
Minutes later, Wairoa sent wing Robbie Paniora into the corner and a tit for tat game continued, keeping supporters and the players on the edge of the seats.
Wairoa trailed 30-16 at half time but came out all guns blazing in the second stanza, and it was their turn to run in two tries within 10 minutes.
The game had swayed the Bulls' way until Portland's Michael Salise stole the ball off a scrum in the red zone, and ran the length of the paddock to plant the ball under the goalposts.
With full time closing in, Wairoa fired one last shot - Rick Paniora snapped up the ball, which had ricocheted off Wall near the Bulls' goalposts, and snuck through the Portland defence to score and gain the lead.
However, Portland were determined to have the last laugh on their home ground and, under pressure, Sam Te Namu sent the ball up in the final minute and chased it down to score his second try for the day. Shelford's conversion sent the crowd into a frenzy as Portland had won 42-40.
Although defensively both sides needed a bit of a shakeup, both teams showed huge skill while on attack.
Portland coach Craig Bird was all smiles following the match - especially impressed with Wall's organising of his troops and stylish sidestep, along with hooker Justin Paniora and second rower Graham Edmond's performances. And who could forget Salise's runaway try?
"I'm just happy with how we came back," he said.
Meanwhile, Wairoa chair Charlie Selkirk was gracious on leaving the field. "We won a game like that last week - that's just how it is - we know how to handle it," he said.
Jakey Mau at halfback was a standout on defence and "supersub" Jackson Dick impressed the Bulls management.
Also on Saturday, Bay Slayers travelled to Takahiwai to play the 2008 premiers, still unbeaten this season after defeating the visitors 44-24.
Another close but high scoring game went down between hosts Kaikohe and Hikurangi, who were triumphant after a string of losses - winning 50-44.
Moerewa were too tough for City Knights, and won their match at Otangarei 64-24.
Teams break for Queen's Birthday with the exception of Kaikohe and Moerewa, who are scheduled to play a catch up game at Moerewa on Saturday, after there was a mix-up with the final score in round one.