Lions roar past depleted Panthers

The Kaikohe Lions' 72-12 whitewash over a depleted Portland Panthers was the ideal build-up for the team heading into Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League playoffs next weekend.
But Saturday's other match results mean Kaikohe have to play their game in hand against Bay Slayers on Wednesday to determine if they will be the 2010 minor premiers.
Lions coach Benson Selwyn was not too fussed on this scenario, as his side could risk injury heading into the playoffs. But he was chuffed with his side's performance against Portland, and confident his hardened side had enough gas left in the tank for two or possibly three more games of footy.
"I was happy with the overall performance - we were basically working on our defence against Portland - and it looked good. Our communication was also good, the guys were talking more and our discipline was there. Discipline is an area we have been working on."
Lions captain Hamuera Tohu kickstarted the scoring for the Lions, dotting down the ball which standoff Anthony Clyde had chipped ahead to him.
Tohu had a field day at centre and added another three tries to his haul, while Stacey Nimmo, Haki Henry, Te Wairongoa Tohu scored two apiece with the rest of the tries shared out among the team and Shontaine Tau converting eight of them.
The Lions dominated from the start and had most of the possession apart from the occasional spark from Portland, who only had two subs on the bench.
Just before halftime, Kaikohe's defence faltered for the first time, and Portland's prop Setima Paraha made ample metres before offloading to Jason Hita who crossed the line. Kass Wall's conversion left the hosts trailing 6-32 before Kaikohe replied with another try as the whistle signalled the break. Their second and only other try came in the second half, after Richard Watts saw a gap and  scored in the left corner.
At Simson Park, last year's premiers Hikurangi stole the show from their rivals Moerewa,  winning 31-22 in what was a repeat of the 2009 grand final. Hikurangi's win pushed them into first place ahead of Moerewa but on equal points with Kaikohe, forcing Kaikohe to play their game in hand against the Bay Slayers for the minor premiership. It will be played at 6.30pm on Wednesday, in Kerikeri.  If Kaikohe lose, the Lions and Hikurangi's points for and against will  decide the
minor premiers.
While Kaikohe, Moerewa and Hikurangi have secured the top three finals berths, the fourth spot is still in question after the fifth placed Bay Slayers' 26-24 win over Takahiwai, who were in fourth place heading into the last round of the competition.
If the Slayers' appeal to New Zealand Rugby League regarding not fielding two junior teams in the club competition is heard before next weekend, and they beat Kaikohe on Wednesday, they will be on equal points with Takahiwai. The fourth place in the playoffs will then be decided on for and against points.
Meanwhile, City Knights finished their season with a 46-32 victory over Hokianga and Wairoa had a win over Otaua.
 Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League Competition standings after Round 16:
Kaikohe, Hikurangi 24, Moerewa 22, Takahiwai 20, Bay Slayers, City Knights 18, Portland, Hokianga 14, Wairoa 4, Otaua 0.
The Northern Zone Premier, 17s and 15s teams will be announced tonight  at Kensington Stadium from 6.30pm, and their new playing strip will be unveiled ahead of the inaugural National Zonal Competition.
NZRL chief executive Jim Doyle will be at the function to give a quarterly update  and outline nationwide progress.