Bay of Islands kept their Harding Shield campaign alive after beating Mangonui by 28 points ahead of this weekend's final showdown in Kaitaia.
The Bay needed a bonus-point win in this game to avoid handing the shield back to Whangarei with Bay spokesman Shaun Haynes - who co-coaches the side with AJ Johnson - applauding his side as they stepped up to ensure this year's challenge will go right down to the wire.
In last Wednesday's match, played under lights in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands won 45-17 thanks largely to standout performances from Reece Te Nana, playing No6 in the first half and second-five in the second, and brother Kadin who scored two tries as well as playing halfback in the first spell and wing in the second.
Other notable performers were Hora Hora centre Warren Dunn and captain Justin Davies, given 40 and 50 minutes respectively. Jack Ram, young Okaihau first-five Thomas Smith, who was on target with the boot, No8 Owen Pihema, Buster Tahere and Okaihau's Ray Posthumus, who scored a try, also impressed.
Haynes also acknowledged former union president Brent Hewitt for being a real stalwart behind the scenes, including cooking a feed for the boys at the side's trainings.
