Lion cubs put pride back in to title race

Kaikohe Lions coach Benson Selwyn can breathe a little easier following his side's hard-earned 40-24 win at home, over Wairoa Bulls.
The 2010 Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League premiers have struggled to find their stride this season, with a large chunk of the championship winning team transferring to other clubs or retiring, leaving Selwyn to nurture a group of willing youngsters.
"I lost my halfback [Haki Henry] to Otaua, our standoff [Anthony Clyde] to Bay Slayers and my boy Bodene Manahi, who was playing fullback, has left to play for Manukau Rugby League in Auckland, so it makes life hard when you are trying to wean the new blood into senior rugby league," Selwyn said.
One youngster, 17-year-old Ben Leaa'atala has made huge inroads for Kaikohe, stepping up from age group football to play in the senior grade this year.
"I'm playing him at second row as he is a bit small for prop where he was playing in the 17s ... he is improving every game he plays for us and scored in the last few games as well," the coach said.
Ever the realist, Selwyn said making the top three with eight rounds to play before the semifinals, would be tough so he and the team are targeting the well-contested fourth spot on the ladder - and a semifinals berth. After the weekend's eighth round, Kaikohe are in fourth place, tied with Takahiwai, behind Portland in third and Bay Slayers and Hikurangi sharing the top spot.
"It will be dog versus dog until the end of this season ... it's very close. We will get a feeling for how we are going next weekend, when we meet Portland. They will either thrash us wanting payback after losing on Saturday, or we will hold on to beat them. I hope it's the latter," he said.
Kaikohe started Saturday's clash strongly, dominating Wairoa up front and running in several tries to lead comfortably at halftime 26-8.
However, for the first 20 minutes of the second half, Wairoa shut down the hosts, dominating their forwards and turning the game around, trailing 26-24.
Wairoa ran out of steam in the latter stages of the game, and Kaikohe fought back with another scoring tirade, and a confidence-boosting victory.
Hamuera Tohu scored two for Kaikohe, while Stacey Nimmo, Teatawhi Tahere, Adam Stowers, Billy Slade and Jareau McQueen all crossed the chalk for their team. Shontayne Tau's boot was mostly accurate, kicking five conversions.
"I take nothing away from Wairoa. If they could last the whole 80 minutes they would be in the top four of this competition. Their forward pack is very good," Selwyn said.
Meanwhile in other WCDRL matches, Otaua had their first win of the season, beating Marist 30-12 in a hard fought clash on Otaua's home ground.
Portland suffered a 34-8 defeat to Moerewa Tigers while Hikurangi beat Hokianga, 18-44. Takahiwai put up a good fight but went down 28-18 to Bay Slayers at Kerikeri.