RUGBY - Club comp of two halves

TEVITA Jurgenson left his rugby league roots behind four years ago. But it is taking a while for the fleet-footed back to make his mark in rugby union.
Things might be about to change though, because Jurgenson is starting to force the issue with the starch-collared rugby union pundits.
Three tries for his Marist club as they hammered Kamo in a Joe Morgan Memorial club game on Saturday will certainly help his cause.
Marist won 36-16, Jurgenson anchoring the backline division on the right wing and proving that the new look club team is developing into a force to be reckoned with in the club championship this season.
But he isn't alone when it comes to strikepower in the Marist backs division this season.
Imports Kaneli Delana and Luke Muggeridge are making their presence felt this year, along with Hayden Hutchinson at first five eighths.
But while Marist are building momentum, it is Mid Northern's rampaging form that is most impressive just three rounds into the competition.
Mid Northern smashed Hikurangi 51-13 in a one-sided romp at Hukerenui, thanks mainly to the injection of powerful lock Kyran Pita at halftime, and are becoming the giants of the championship.
Their half century was the only surprise in a predictable weekend. Nobody expected Hikurangi to take such a beating.
But while Mid Northern were cruising to their big victory, Hora Hora were dumping Mid Western 38-0, the Western Sharks were thrashing Old Boys 48-5 and Wellsford were cruising to a 36-13 win over Waipu.
So already there is a distinct split in the ranks between the teams at the top end of the competition and the ones who are struggling to compete.
Mid Northern have been in such hot form that they are already looking good for a defence of the title, with Marist emerging as the only serious contender.
Hora Hora and Wellsford are on track to book the other two semifinal positions.
It remains between Kamo, the Sharks and Hikurangi to try and disrupt proceedings, with Waipu hoping some mid-season reinforcements will arrive in time to reinvigorate their chances.
Unless things change dramatically, Mid Western and Old Boys will be battling for the wooden spoon. But Mid Northern shouldn't start planning their post season celebrations just yet, because the Marist side has more firepower to add to their playing roster, with Jake Paringatai, Corey Tamou and Tony Coughlan all set to march into the squad.
On Saturday Marist were in cruise mode as they swept past Kamo, making the most of a tentative Kamo backline that coughed up too much possession. When Paringatai arrives next week, they will be formidable.
Hora Hora had Warren Dunn in top form as they cantered past a disappointing Mid Western unit. Dunn scored three tries in a superior backline, the only highlight for the losers being the form of new halfback James Rodley.
Lock Peter Bond is making a name for himself with the Sharks and was to the fore again as they beat Old Boys in Dargaville, while Rene Ranger was quick to register on the try scoring sheet when he helped Wellsford beat Waipu at Wellsford.
NEXT WEEK: Marist v Western Sharks; Mid Western v Kamo; Mid Northern v Hora Hora; Waipu v Hikurangi; Whg Old Boys v Wellsford.