LEAGUE - Portland's narrow victory sticks in mud

Portland's wet-weather win over Takahiwai on Saturday won't go down as their most attractive win of the season but it sure was exciting.
Neither team were at their best at Portland's water-logged and muddy ground but both sides put on a fine contest that had their supporters perched uncomfortably on a knife-edge, as the home side squeaked home to win 26-24.
With the conditions neither team were able to play an expansive game but it wasn't all safety first and it was a sign of how much both sides wanted to win that there was surprisingly little spilled ball.
It was Takahiwai who adjusted quickest to the conditions, to lead 14-8 at the break.
Sosasi Tali scored his second try just after halftime make it 18-8 and the visitors continued to press until some spirited goal-line defence by Portland blunted Takahiwai's momentum.
Poor discipline followed and Portland were piggy-backed upfield for Rakana Cook to score the try that dragged the Portland supporters back into the game.
A few minutes later Henry Lawrence crashed over to level the scores 18 apiece before Dwayne Toogood scored under the posts and give the home side a six-point buffer. Jackson Katene stretched that to eight with a penalty.
Takahiwai came out of their shell and spent the rest of the game camped in the Portland half, reducing Portland's advantage to just two points with five minutes left on the clock. The visitors weren't short on effort but they couldn't ruin Portland's party and when the hooter sounded, the celebrations started.
It was Portland's first win over Takahiwai for almost two years and it tasted good. The win puts them three points clear of Takahiwai on top of the table, with the Warriors now one of three teams tied for second place on 16 points, along with Ngawha and Kaikohe.
In Moerewa, Kaikohe Lions won the battle of the big cats by beating the Tigers 18-10.
In contrast to the mudbath further south, the game was played in good conditions but well organised and willing defence dominated both sides, attacking flair.
Kaikohe had their noses in front 6-4 at the break and they stayed in front with Woody Maihi's kicking game proving to be the difference in a very tight match.
Marist Brothers defaulted to the Ngawha Saints on Saturday, gifting the prison side two valuable points.
Bay Slayers claimed their third win of the season by upsetting Hikurangi 20-16 at Tikipunga Park.
In another wet-weather game, the Slayers started the match with all cylinders firing.
They had claimed three tries before they were finally awarded their first try of the day.
The lack of markings on the field didn't help their cause but a strong third quarter helped the Slayers build on their 10-4 advantage at the break. They scored two tries to open up a comfortable lead they maintained until Hikurangi gave themselves the chance of a comeback with two late tries.
It was the Slayers' most satisfying win of the season.
"The boys really deserved their win and if we can play like that that next week, then Portland had better look out," the club's Justin Webster warned.