A late try to Joachim Edmond set up a narrow two-point win for defending champions Hikurangi Stags over a Portland Panthers side that refused to lie down.
The young Panthers team trailed for most of the game, but hung in there against an understrength but still classy Stags side, settingup a thrilling finale that included Edmond's try but also a period of Panthers pressure as they searched for the winner.
"Portland are always tough at home and they showed they have got some great talent coming through their club, and in the end we were really rapt to get the win," Stags coach Joe Rau said.
"We were short of a few of our frontline players, so it was pleasing to see our young guys stand up, especially in that final five minutes or so with Portland hammering away at our line looking for the win," he said. The 22-20 win sees the Stags maintain the lead in the competition along with Takahiwai, who dismantled a below strength Horahora 62-18.
With a string of injuries from earlier games, Horahora coach Sean Tito was forced into making a cameo appearance at fullback but he may have regretted it when a hamstring injury ended his game.
Hora Hora showed plenty of spirit with Tasman Nathan, Des Reynolds, Scott Cameron and Steven Smith scoring tries, with Kurtis Tito at standoff and Cameron the pick of their players.
Charles Tarau, playing at fullback for the first time, scored a hat-trick for Takahiwai, as did veteran standoff Hori Tuhoro, while captain Ed Wilson and Para Murray both had strong games. The other try scorers were Sosaia Tali, Wiremu Te Iringa, Damion Murray, Nick Schster and Mike Hauraki.
Elsewhere, Northern Wairoa Bulls scraped home against the City Knights 24-22. Moerewa Tigers beat Muriwhenua Falcons 36-30. Otaua Valley Warriors beat Kerikeri Slayers 32-26, while Hokianga had the bye.
