Takahiwai hold off physical Hikurangi for win

Takahiwai showed why they they are reigning premiers, holding on to win against a very physical Hikurangi side in the Whangarei and Districts rugby league competition.
Round two of the local competition kicked off in wet conditions on Saturday with Hikurangi's Mangakahia ground heavy underfoot, but Takahiwai managed to grab an early 10-4 lead.
Despite Hikurangi threatening to overtake them - coming within two points on several occasions - Takahiwai maintained the narrow advantage and extended their lead in the final five minutes of the game to win 34-26
"It was a very close game," Takahiwai coach Mark Freeman said.
"Any win against Hikurangi is a good win - they were a strong and very physical side, and they brought their game on Saturday."
A dampener doused the game when two of Freeman's key players were injured in the first half, allowing Hikurangi to take advantage of the opposition's restructure, closing the gap before the interlude to 12-10.
Fullback Jamie Erceg hyper-extended his knee while centre Horrie Tohoro's already niggly ankle continued to cause him grief and he came off early.
"Losing those experienced players took the attack out of our game, and reshuffling the team put us out of whack," Freeman said.
However, despite poor organisation across the paddock at times, Takahiwai's defence stepped up to keep Hikurangi from crossing the line.
No.8 Para Murray was a standout for the Takahiwai contingent.
"He put us back on track when he came back on for us in the second half," the coach said about Murray who was relentless, driving the ball forward.
Meanwhile Jordan Hool in the second row stepped up for the occasion, as did Tohoro's replacement, Barry Savage.
Next weekend's 2008 grand-final re-match between Kaikohe and Takahiwai at home will test the premiers once more, as Kaikohe seek revenge for last year's loss.
Freeman said he would need a full strength side against Kaikohe on Saturday, and would be eagerly waiting to hear how Erceg and Tohoro pulled up this week.
In other matches this weekend, after starting their season strongly with a comfortable win over Wairoa in round one, Bay Slayers were hard-up for troops and struggled against Moerewa going down 34-12. Bay Slayers assistant coach Justin Webster said his side lost structure when they had fill-ins across the park.
"But that's no excuse - we were beaten by the better team on the day," he said.
At Otangarei, Portland faced competition newcomers City Knights for the first time.
The visitors were too strong for City Knights and won 36-14. It was a much improved performance from City Knights who were slaughtered last weekend by Hikurangi, 118-6.
Meanwhile, wet weather saw the game between Wairoa and Kaikohe at Kaikohe postponed until a later date.