Panthers' comeback win

The Portland Panthers overcame first half jitters to execute a fine comeback to defeat rivals Takahiwai Warriors at home, claiming back the Pitman Cup in the process.
Host side Takahiwai dominated the first half of play in round one of the 2011 Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League Competition but Portland turned the tables in the second half for an emphatic 28-36 win.
Panther's coach Craig Bird was chuffed with his side's come back.
"I think our slow start was just a case of the first half jitters ... the boys still did some positive things in the first half however. It was great to win back the Pitman Cup after losing it to Takahiwai in 2009, but one game doesn't make a season," he said.
The Pitman Cup is contested between Takahiwai and Portland whenever the trophy holders play a home game. "We are trying to do things a bit differently this year, giving our players a bit more input to how things are run ... and it seems to be working," Bird said.
For most of the first 40, Portland's defence looked bewildered, and early in the piece, the Panthers allowed the hosts to get the ball out wide to right wing Thomas Sofiala, who scored in the corner. Sofiala's try was backed up five minutes later by four more points from prop Jake Pitman-Smith.
With both sides fumbling the ball and turning it over frequently, Portland grabbed an opportunity to send Boo Nathan crashing over the line in reply.
By half time, Takahiwai had extended their score to 22-6, with a runaway try by centre Ross MacFarlane, converted by Jesse Epiha, along with two more tries from lock forward Dwain Bainbridge and wing Tyson Epiha. Portland gave away several scoring opportunities, losing the ball close to their line and leaving them to play catch up footy in the second half.
It was a different Portland side who came back on the paddock for the second half however. They had decided to play and flustered Takahiwai with the change in pace. Two minutes into the half, centre Thomas Henare had danced his way around Takahiwai's defence to start Portland's scoring spree. Charles Shelford's conversion closed the gap to 22-12.
It was pretty much the all-Portland show from then on in, with Shelford collecting a intercept to score the next try under the posts, sprinting from 30m out. He added the conversion.
A few minutes later, the Panther's forwards made some big yards to help send Nathan over for his second try which Shelford converted, putting Portland into the lead for the first time in the match. Back rower Michael Salase got a warm welcome back to Portland after a stint with City last season, when he charged down the flank to score a converted try to take Portland's lead out to 22-30.
With four minutes remaining, Takahiwai had not given up and capitalised on a slackened Portland defence, and half back Petaia Pofaiua dotted a try, converted by Nick Godfrey.
Instead of scoring off the next set, Takahiwai dropped the ball on the restart - handing the ball and the game over to Portland. Then in the closing minute of the match, Shelford completed a stellar first outing of the season with another try directly under the posts, sealing the game, 28-36.
Takahiwai coach Thomas Murray said penalties cost his side the game. "We played okay for our first hit out of the season with 70 per cent of the team new," Murray said.
In other round one matches, Bay Slayers hosted a young Moerewa Tigers outfit at Kerikeri Domain. The Slayers led the Tigers 16-4 at the halfway mark, before blowing their lead with basic errors infiltrating their play. Moerewa bounced back to win 18-28. Meanwhile, last year's premiers Kaikohe Lions lost to Hokianga Pioneers and City defeated Marist, who are back in the competition after last playing in 2008. Otaua had the bye.
No other results were made available to the Northern Advocate at the time of publication.