RUGBY - Star efforts unable to save Marist's hopes

Fetu Vainikolo and Josh Levi made unexpected appearances for Marist but the star turns could not prevent another loss for the highly rated team as they tumbled to a fired-up Kamo side in the feature match of the Joe Morgan Memorial competition at Kensington Park on Saturday.
Kamo won 18-10, a slick second half try conjured up by the new-look Kamo backline nailing the result and possibly sending Marist tumbling out of play-off contention.
It was a spectacular result and a heartening performance from both teams - and yet another twist to the competition, which is building towards a hectic crescendo just to determine who will qualify for the semifinals.
Kamo opened the scoring through the boot of first five eighths Matt Buckley but then conceded the lead when Vainikolo opened up the afterburners and sprinted away for a try.
It looked like Marist would simply have too much leg speed in the backs with Josh Levi back from Italy to wear the No10 jersey and veterans Tony Coughlan and Dan Goodwin adding power in the forward pack.
But Kamo's forward came good, dominating lineout possession and getting the upperhand at scrum time. Kamo's fullback scored tries either side of halftime, the second proving the match winner after winger Hunia Kingi had found open territory, Marist were unable to conjure up a reply.
But Kamo's result wasn't the only intriguing score on Saturday, as Mid Northern managed to grind out a 16-11 win over Hikurangi, the dedication of the Mid Northern forward pack notable along with the skills of their promising midfield back Derek Carpenter.
Hikurangi were riding high after scoring a magnificent victory last week but just could not manage to maintain their rhythm against a desperate Mid Northern side at Hukerenui.
Hora Hora, meanwhile, have suddenly stolen a march at the top of the table after walloping Mid Western 55-0 at Maunagkaramea on Saturday.
The Western Sharks proved too much for Whangarei Old Boys at Okara Park No2.
Wellsford cruised past Waipu 39-17, Johnny Moimoi the star yet again.
Next week: Western Sharks v Marist; Kamo v Mid Western; Hora Hora v Mid Northern; Hikurangi v Waipu; Wellsford v Whangarei Old Boys.
* JOE MORGAN MEMORIAL
Premier: Kamo 18 (Mike Davis 2 tries; Matt Buckley 2 pens, con), Marist 10 (Josh Levi, Fetu Vainikolo tries)
Premier reserves: 25-24 Marist; Wellsford 39 (Johnny MoiMoi 2, Joe Ranger 2, Regan Wright, Scott Brady tries, MoiMoi pen, 3 cons), Waipu 17 (Dirk Matthews, Greg Betham, Brent Murray tries; Dan McCully con)
Premier reserves: 31-27 Wellsford; Western Sharks 31 (Craig Williamson 2, Manaki Onesi, Tee Napuri, Tony Te Paa tries; Toa Takalua 3 cons), Old Boys 15 (Gary Wakelin, Troy Gilbert, Sean Rogers tries).
Premier reserves: 26-8 Sharks; Mid Northern 16 (Bo Haika try; David Holwell 3 pens, con), Hikurangi 11 (Bronson Murray try; Jared Payne 2 pens).
Premier reserves: 23-10 Mid Northern; Hora Hora 55 (Jason Parangi 2, Alan Nesbitt, Dean Jamal, Mark Bennett, Leon Baigent, Aaron Baigent, Logan Wendt tries, Leon Baigent pen, 6 cons), Mid Western 0.
Premier reserves: 30-20 Hora Hora.
* POINTS
Premier: Hora Hora 47, Mid Northern 44, Wellsford 43, Hikurangi 42, Kamo 41, Marist 41, Sharks 19, Mid Western 11, Waipu 9, Old Boys 2.
Premier reserves: Wellsford 54, Marist 47, Mid Northern 46, Hora Hora 41, Sharks 32, Kamo 30, Hikurangi 23, Waipu 17, Old Boys 7, Mid Western 2.