Whangarei Districts lift Harding Shield

Whangarei and Districts have only held the Harding Shield for a few days, yet opponents are already lining up to challenge them for the honours.
The Whangarei team was simply too strong for previous holders Mangonui, during Saturday's Rally Day at Kaitaia's Arnold Rae Park, and won comfortably, 5-24.
Hosts Mangonui never gave up, which was a testament to coach Joe Murray and his troops, who got stuck into the visitors during the first half of the clash. No8 Frank Roberts stood out for Mangonui along with Tim Dow who scored their sole try, but Whangarei's fitness shone through, with their ability and size up front too much for the hosts.
Skipper Roy Griffen led well from the front, and eventually the Whangarei forwards wore down the hosts,who let in a flurry of tries.
All available Northland ITM Cup squad players were released by coach Adriaan Ferris for the sub union rugby clash, spread across the teams for the Harding Shield match as well as the sides who clashed in the curtain-raiser - Bay of Islands and Rodney/Northern Wairoa.
The Rally Day gave Ferris some serious food for thought, as he witnessed his squad in action in two hard-fought matches, along with talent from around the region, who he rarely sees play.
"It was a fantastic exercise and all the sub unions really embraced it. The local support for both games was awesome," Ferris said.
The curtain-raiser was a thriller, with the BoI getting out to an early lead.
They had a narrow 5-0 lead at halftime, before Rodney/Northern Wairoa turned it on in the second half to go in front and win three tries to one.
Aaron Bancroft came off the bench for Rodney/Northern Wairoa in the second 40 minutes to play inside centre and along with skipper Warren Dunn, caused trouble through the middle, stepping up the intensity, and making several breaks each. Lock Cole Campbell and the loose forward trio Solomon Palu, Siaosi Tuatao and Rukuwai Waata were impressive up front against a powerful BoI forward pack, but again, the fitness of the Southern Districts players was a notch above their northern counterparts.
The Harding Shield used to be the cornerstone of Northland rugby, but recent years has seen sub union rugby slip through the cracks. However, Saturday's Rally Day may just have been the boost sub union needed to see it regain a regular spot on the rugby calendar, Ferris said.
"Playing both games at one location paid off, Mangonui were brilliant hosts. I think it has helped the Harding Shield to come back into significance which is good as the shield turns 100 years old in 2014."
There are two more rounds of the Harding Shield this season, and Whangarei and Districts will play either BoI or Rodney/Northern Wairoa, depending on who submits a challenge, Ferris explained.