RUGBY - Hikurangi the new House of Payne

NEW Northland rugby signing Jared Payne stamped his class on proceedings as Hikurangi made a bold statement about their championship aspirations with a 64-5 thrashing of Mid Western in round two of the Joe Morgan Memorial club championship on Saturday.
Payne scored three tries, two of them after carving through some shonky defence and hairing off on 60-metre runs, to announce his arrival on the local club scene.
But he wasn't alone on the triple try scoring front, as Glenn Martin, who has been part of the Northland rugby set-up for two years now, also grabbed three tries as Hikurangi destroyed Mid Western in a one-sided affair at Maungakaramea.
It was Mid Western's second hefty defeat on the trot, a result that has hammered home the reality of life in the premier division for the newly promoted team, and a game that clearly demonstrated a growing gap between the top clubs and the rest.
In just two weeks of championship play there have been several blowouts with some severe thrashings in the much maligned reserve grade only reinforcing the issue.
On Saturday two reserve grade teams, Waipu and Hikurangi, clocked up 85 and 90 point wins respectively.
Already the premier division is shaping up to be a lopsided competition with championship defenders Mid Northern, perennial performers Hikurangi and relative newcomers Marist leading the charge.
Kamo, the Western Sharks, Wellsford and Hora Hora will fight for minor placings while promoted clubs Mid Western and Old Boys and a totally rejigged Waipu side are struggling to compete.
On Saturday Hikurangi were totally dominant, their young first five eighths Cass Walding unleashing a potent backline at every opportunity as Mid Western were bullied in the forwards and too tentative when on attack to penetrate.
Mid Northern were a little too classy in their set piece execution for Wellsford as they cruised to a 44-17 victory, wingers Gray Roberts and Jershon Witehira each scoring a double and newcomer Bo Haika at loose forward forcing the issue.
Wellsford were competitive but unable to stem Mid Northern's attack as the side made the most of home ground advantage.
Wellsford will only get better though, they have some name players yet to front up and have a potent attacking weapon in midfield back Aiden Dewes.
The Sharks were unlucky not to turn Kamo over at Dargaville. Kamo won 21-15 but conceded three tries and would have been beaten had the Sharks been able to slot a handful of penalty goals.
Hunia Kingi turned in yet another eye-catching effort for Kamo but the man of the match was Sharks veteran Craig Williamson who scored a try.
Sharks winger Tana Takalua got two touchdowns for the Sharks.
The match of the round was between Hora Hora and Marist at Kensington Park.
Marist won 34-27, but the star-studded team were under the cosh from a fired up Hora Hora unit throughout.
Midfield backs Tevita Jergenson and Luke Muggeridge led the way again for marist as they busted out to an early lead. But Hora Hora struck back and were only four points adrift down 31-27 in the final moments.
New Irish import Stephen Corr made a telling debut for Waipu as they beat Whangarei Old Boys 17-7 in a frustrating game at Okara Park No.2.
Corr only arrived in the country on Friday evening but was drafted straight into the premier side and delivered a big effort.
The Old Boys team was led in fine fashion by skipper Mark Kapa at hooker with teenage back Troy Gilbert the stars.
Next week: Wellsford v Waipu; Hikurangi v Mid Northern; Western Sharks v Whg Old Boys; Hora Hora v Mid Western; Kamo v Marist.