Takahiwai beat Portland in opener

Takahiwai started the new season with a hiss and a roar, defeating  Portland 40-30 in round one of the Whangarei City and Districts Rugby League Competition at Takahiwai.
The hosts stamped their mark on the game early in the first half, with standoff Kyle Hool crossing the line during the opening minutes and halfback Jesse Epiha converting.
This young halves combination looked sharp, directing the Takahiwai attack, and working tirelessly to keep the ball alive throughout the 80 minutes.
Portland were just as hungry for a first-round win, however, and Val McDonald touched the ball down and converted it 10 minutes later, after catching the Takahiwai defensive line off guard.
While much of the first half was dictated by loose ball and penalties, both sides continued to swap tries, with Barry Savage and Ross McFarlane scoring for Takahiwai and Jason Hita and Jordan Katene for Portland. At halftime, the game was  tied at 18-18.
Three minutes into the second half, Portland centre Jackson Katene took the lead of his son Jordan and scored to put his side in front for the first time. It was a wake-up call for Takahiwai, who applied pressure on Portland to see McFarlane score his second try for the match, but it went unconverted.
As early-season fatigue started to take its grip, the tiring defence in both sides let in a couple of soft tries. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Portland had closed the gap to 34-30. Portland went close to scoring on several occasions  before Takahiwai sealed it with a Hori Tuhoro try,  converted by Petaia Pofaiua.
 It was satisfying win for Manu Tuhoro, who was filling in as coach until the club found a suitable candidate to replace last year's coach Mark Freeman.
"It was a good hit-out and we have a few things to build on.
"We haven't had a preseason game as such, so this was the first game for the lads, who are still getting used to playing as a team.
"We will be building our combinations up over the next few weeks and if the wins come, that would be a bonus," he said.
At Otaua, a huge crowd of supporters welcomed the Hokianga Pioneers and Otaua into the fold again,  both teams having been absent for several years.
Otaua led the visitors at halftime, 24-18, but struggled to hold on to their lead as they tired during the second half.
Hokianga had a bit more gas in the tank and claimed two points when they won, 46-32.
Buddy Gray scored a hat-trick for the winning side, while skipper Ritchie Koroi and Jarlal Beckham each collected two tries apiece.
Another large crowd gathered at Kaikohe to watch the Lions play Bay Slayers,  both sides lifting for the occasion. Kaikohe prop Jerome McQueen stood out on his side's way to a 36-18 victory over their visitors, while prop Adam Stowers and stand-off Anthony Clyde showed their experience during the match.
After losing twice to Wairoa last season, Moerewa Tigers were determined not to let it happen again when the sides clashed at Moerewa.
The hosts dominated the game from the outset with relentless attack, and went into halftime with a comfortable 22-0 lead.
Two 17-year-olds made the senior football debuts for Moerewa, fullback Haylin Rogers and forward Herewini MacGregor, and impressed the coaches to earn player-of-the-day honours, helping the 2009 runners-up to a 40-6 victory, and a promising start to the season.

Meanwhile, 2009 champions Hikurangi faced last year's wooden spooners City Knights.
Hikurangi clung to a narrow 18-16 lead at halftime, and despite a determined effort by the Knights, stayed in front to win 26-30.