Another one-sided round in Mangonui

HEAVY AIRPLAY: Pocko Still claims lineout ball as his Aupouri side set about dismantling the visiting South Hokianga Natives by 47-7 in round 3 of the Mangonui senior club rugby at Te Kao.

Aupouri 47 Natives 7 (ht 12-7): The southernmost club made the longest trip in provincial rugby, an estimated three-and-a-half hour drive from home turf at Taheke, to Te Kao to take on Aupouri in round 3 of the Mangonui senior club competition on Saturday.

Taking place a short time after a memorable Anzac Day commemoration, this match became an exhibition of true grassroots rugby. In other words, basically a stop/ start affair with little flow. The first half offered few genuine moments of excitement for the dozens of spectators enjoying blustery but warm, late autumn conditions before the lack of fitness began to take a toll in the second spell and which, at least, allowed the game to open up and provide a bit more entertainment.

Eventually, home advantage paid off and with the otherwise excellent Natives No.8 Tahu Warmington in the sinbin, Aupouri handed South Hokianga their third big loss on the trot.

Aupouri player coach Pocko Still said the game may not have been the greatest spectacle but was played in good spirits throughout.

"It was a pretty big mess to start with. The whole thing for us, kept our composure. We are still trying to gel together as a team. Had our first good hit-out on Thursday with 20 showing up. Get that same team playing every week, we will be competitive," he promised, adding, "Hokianga have got a good young side, they're having a few big scores put on them but they aren't giving up."

Aupouri standouts included forward POTD No8 Aaron Munroe, halfback Dan Jobe (back POTD, and one of three Jobe siblings on the field for Aupouri). Elsewhere, Still noted the nearby Paua Station offered the Natives a place to bed down for the night in a great gesture of local hospitality. The South Hokianga management were contacted to offer their view of proceedings - along with a perspective on their 2015 campaign to date, and the general reaction over the move from the Bay competition - but have yet to comment.

Eastern 42 Te Rarawa 7 (ht 15-0): Huge interest in this match between east and west at Taipa but one which simply became another one-sided affair in round 3 of Mangonui rugby; and the result suggesting Eastern are on course to meet Awanui in the final for the Bell Shield for the third consecutive year. As the last person in local rugby who would concur with that prediction, Eastern coach Mike Jurlina noted both sides had been pretty keen for this match to take place.

"Our boys know how physical Rarawa can be and knew they had to match it. It was tight at halftime but we stuck to the basics and our fitness got us home, even though the last 10 minutes were messy from both sides," said Jurlina, adding a big crowd was on hand at Taipa to watch the game unfold.

Tries by Johnny Wright 3, Mitchell Jurlina 2 (plus 3 conversions and 2 penalties) and Leon Emery; while having good games were Tamati Tua (best back) along with Taka Albert and Whetu Rutene in the backs; with Billy-Ray Murray (best forward), Travis McLean and John Butler notable in the forwards.

New Te Rarawa coach Rikki Horlock is starting to come to terms with the standard of the local competition and the quality of opposition. It's becoming clear his project isn't to turn Rarawa into champions overnight, but instead to implement a programme which will see the club remain a sustainable force beyond the present season.

"Eastern performed their systems more effectively than we did, and it was reflected on the scoreboard today. We had a number of opportunities, but mistakes in both attack and defence cost us. We were in the grind, trailing by only 15 points at halftime but we fell away towards the end, something which we will need to work on," Horlock said, giving full credit to Eastern for the win.

Te Rarawa's sole points by halfback Eli Morrogh converting his own try and named best back of the day, while Vance Pure was best forward.

Motukohu 5 Awanui 85: Another anti-climax as 17 Men in Black turned out to find the anticipated fierce resistance at Kohukohu would only be put up by 13 men. Talk about the Alamo. Motukohu have the goods to a competitive unit at times this season, but players need at least to be present for the side to achieve anywhere near its potential. With many players unavailable over the long weekend citing various commitments, the sum of the parts didn't add up to much. Sole try by John Dunn.

Awanui coach Mark Herring said the overall result was a tad underwhelmed by the hosting side's turnout and the subsequent venting of frustration late in the match, which left the referee little choice but to blow for full time a few minutes early. Awanui standouts included Ismeli Taqea and hooker Ina Lorfevre who scored a good try.

Bye: Kaitaia.

- Estimated standings: Awanui (played 3, for/against 215/22) 15 points, Eastern (3, 207/14) 15, Te Rarawa (3, 81/82) 5, Kaitaia (2, 41/108) 5, Aupouri (2, 47/97) 5, Motukohu (38/119) 2, Natives (7/194) 0. Draw for this weekend is on page 13.