Mid Northern overwhelm champions

Mid Northern cast aside any doubts that they will be a force to be reckoned with this season with a 44-3 thumping of defending champions Wellsford at Hukerenui.
It was an encouraging  performance for Mid Northern on Saturday. The forwards were superior in all facets,  the backs made big metres with the ball in hand and in kicking duels, while the home side's bench made a big impact.
Skipper Jason Hammond was more than pleased with the result in their first match after a less than ideal build-up to their season, which included an unexpected bye in the opening round.
"We haven't had a lot of time together yet, so we surprised ourselves today with a bloody good start," he said.
The skipper applauded the work of the backs in lightening the load for the forwards, particularly David Holwell, who played his usual role of strategist.
"The old fella at first five-eighth (Holwell) kept us going forward all game and that helped a few of the other old fellows up front get their breath back, so we're pretty lucky to have him there," he said.
The Mid Northern lineout, bolstered by the debut of former Northland lock Brad Taylor, stole a lot of ball.
"Brad Taylor had his first game for us today and I thought he was outstanding,"  Hammond said.
Mid Northern's new players shone.
 Anthony "AJ" Abel proved difficult to stop at centre, while  18-year-old Kadin TeNana, who replaced halfback Caleb Wano at the break, also showed  promise.
Wellsford struggled to build pressure  against a swarming Mid Northern defence. They are still rebuilding after losing players like John Cocker and JoJo Ranger in the off-season and on Saturday they lost skipper Stu Oldfield in the opening five minutes. 
Wellsford scored the first points of the game with a penalty to Ross Wright but it all went downhill from there.
Mid Northern prop Tim Williamson was mauled over for the first try in the sixth minute, before Abel opened his account.
The visitors managed to compete  for the rest of the half but it was Holwell who added two penalties for a 20-3 halftime lead.
The second half started at breakneck speed but  the home side settled quicker and in the 50th minute flanker Quentin Cooper finished another attacking move from a lineout with a try. Midway through the spell Carpenter touched down.
 No8 Andrew Ritchie added another and  TeNana got the  final try.