Wellsford are still struggling to get over their early season jitters but the addition of All Black Rene Ranger to the team must have helped settle their nerves at Centennial Park.
Old Boys pushed Wellsford hard in their game on Saturday, but the home side brought on Ranger just before half-time
and finally won 24-17.
"He created a bit of havoc most times he got the ball and created a couple of tries through individual brilliance," Wellsford coach Hayden Ferris said.
It was a measure of just how much Ranger wanted to play that he managed to convince Blues coach Pat Lam to release his star winger, despite his misgivings.
"He just wanted to spend some time playing with his mates and to have a bit of fun and that's what he did," Ferris said.
Wellsford got off to a good start but Old Boys never allowed them to finish the game off and were still pushing at the final whistle. Ross Neal, Simon Munro and Brendon Ward were the try-scorers for Wellsford, with Mike Wiringi kicking four goals.
The Western Sharks pulled away from Hikurangi in the second spell to record a comfortable 37-12 win.
The scores were level at 10-all at halftime before the Western Sharks managed to find the patience they needed to break down the Hikurangi defence. In-form halfback Tane Takalua scored two tries, the Palu brothers, Solomon and Lani scored one apiece, while 17-year-old midfielder Sam McCahon also scored.
Marist caused an upset beating Kamo 10-8 with a scoreless second spell.
In the final match, Mid Western handed Otamatea another lesson with an 84-12 win at Kaiwaka.
ROUND 2:
Southern Districts Premier: Hora Hora 45 Mid Northern 17, Western Sharks 34 Hikurangi 17, Otamatea 12 Mid Western 84, Wellsford 24 Whg Old Boys 17, Kamo 8 Marist 10.
Southern Districts Premier Reserves: Hora Hora 17 Mid Northern 24 , Western Sharks 37 Hikurangi 12, Otamatea 0 Mid Western 105, Wellsford 23 Whg Old Boys 19, Kamo 48 Marist 0.
