Lions' fitness too much for Tigers

Kaikohe Lions coach Benson Selwyn ran his 46th training session of the year  last week, and the early start has began to show rewards.
The Lions took on Moerewa Tigers for top of the table status, and played quality football for 80 minutes to win 30-16.
"We started our  pre-season training really early in January and I think our fitness is finally starting to show - it's taken just about a whole round for the boys to fire. But the boys played for the whole 80 minutes on Saturday," Selwyn said.
Kaikohe started as they meant to go on in round eight of the Whangarei City and Districts  competition, with halfback Haki Henry dotting  down twice, followed by a try from Hamuera Tohu.
Kaikohe restricted Moerewa's chances to score, and their defensive line kept its structure, moving up and then back again together and evenly, an impressed Selwyn said.
After leading 18-8 at half time, the Lions continued to apply pressure on the Tigers throughout the second 40, with Stacey Nimmo adding another try, along with one from inside centre Shontaine Tau, whose accurate kicking saw him nudge five out of five conversions from the sideline.
Second rower Iki Payne also had a massive game for the Lions and "gave it straight to the Tigers' forward row", Selwyn said.
The victory sees Kaikohe break free of the stranglehold at the top of the ladder and take over first place with 14 points ahead of Moerewa and Takahiwai (12 points), who were relieved to win over Wairoa after falling to Bay Slayers last weekend.
Takahiwai travelled to Dargaville for the match, where Wairoa made a solid start and only trailed by two points at halftime. However, during the second 40  Takahiwai found another gear, and sharing the tries around, trampled the Bulls 32-10.
The game between City Knights and Bay Slayers at Otangarei was marred when Alex Salase broke his leg and action was held up for 30 minutes while an ambulance saw to the injured Salase. The game was close when play finally got underway again, and at halftime it was tied 12-12, before the hosts found an edge in the second half, and defeated their visitors 22-14. Despite a gutsy performance from Otaua, hosts Portland Panthers
were too strong, winning 46-14.
The Panthers were happy to get back to winning  after getting punished by Kaikohe last week.
Meanwhile, at Hokianga, last year's champions Hikurangi ran riot over a deflated Hokianga side, walloping them 56-26.
After a slow start, Hikurangi finally look like they are making their way back into the competition, while Hokianga will be hoping they can find some oomph  again in time for the local derby at Kaikohe on Saturday
Points after round eight: Kaikohe 14, Moerewa, Takahiwai 12, Hokianga 10, Hikurangi, City Knights 8, Portland 8, Bay Slayers 6, Wairoa 2, Otaua 0.