Unbeaten Portland blazing a trail

Portland Blazers continued their unbeaten run to remain on top of the Northland Super Six basketball competition with a comprehensive 95-68 win over Kaikohe Cougars.
The points came from all over the court with Harlyn Clunie ending up the top scorer for the afternoon with 21 points. Northland Suns starting point guard Atama O'Donnell worked hard to spark the Kaikohe attack from the outside, ending the game with a hard-earned 16 points.
The Friday night game was another one-sided affair with the Maunu Lights extinguishing the Kamo Stars by 77-59.
Maunu's Hayden Hill top-scored for Maunu with 21 points while Casey Namana was the next best with 16.
Tawhai Tapene was Kamo's top-scorer with 12 points.
The final game of the round between City Hawks and Raumanga Royals was the closest and most exciting match for players and spectators alike.
The first three-quarters saw both teams struggling to take the advantage in the game but whenever one side threatened to build a lead the other side redoubled their efforts and came back at them.
The score at the three-quarter mark was 64-63 to the Royals but early in the final quarter, they sunk three quick three-pointers, leaving the Hawks trying to claw their way back - without luck - for the rest of the spell.
Cory Te Tai top-scored for the Royals with 19 points, while Beau Mackie notched up 16. For the Hawks Travis McIlroy top-scored with a massive 35, with Joe Clark shooting 16.
This weekend's results see Portland two points clear of Raumanga at the top of the table, with Kaikohe and Maunu equal third with four points apiece, with the Hawks on two and Kamo yet to open their account.