Pioneers add to Tigers' woes

Moerewa Tigers 16 Hokianga Pioneers 46 (ht 8-24): A disappointing lack of resistance by the Moerewa Tigers, convincingly dismantled on home turf by the Hokianga Pioneers on Saturday afternoon, was of concern as round 2 of the RLN Multikai Cooker Premiership club league competition was completed in blistering late-summer conditions on Saturday afternoon.

There's no doubt the Tigers - one of the most successful Bay of Islands teams in the province over the past decade - are hurting, missing several of their most promising players from last season who have taken up the 15-man game with Bay champions, Moerewa.

While full credit must be given to the veterans for once again pulling on a jersey on Saturday, even the staunchest Moerewa stalwart would reluctantly admit there were far too many old-timers out there for anyone's liking; while the number of supporters for what used to be one of the most eagerly anticipated derbies in the mid north could best be described as mediocre. (In reply, observers noted there were "two birthdays on", as well as a big rugby derby in nearby Kawakawa between UK and Otiria.)

On behalf of a Hokianga unit debuting a flash new kit, coach William McCarthy didn't want to talk up Hokianga's comfortable victory too much, because it was still early season and also due to the lack of opposition. "It was nice to beat them, but not like that." McCarthy noted his side was not in quite the same predicament as Moerewa, having benefited from neighbouring Otaua Valley's withdrawal from the competition this year, thus picking up that team's stray players.

Pioneers standouts included Te Wairangoa Tohu at No 13, and prop Elliot Pomare who made some big runs, while also notable were Wally Heremia with two tries, adding to tries by Richie Koroi and Shannon Haare.

Moerewa's next game against the Otangarei Knights may take place under lights at Hikurangi tomorrow.

Hikurangi Stags 52 Muriwhenua Kuaka 24: Muriwhenua struggled to contain the premiers on home soil with the Stags probably still hurting after last week's capitulation to the Panthers. With no great expectations against a side which has dominated the provincial competition for the past three years, Kuaka coach Vince Rudolph said there were plenty of positives to take from this outcome.

"Okay, it didn't go our way, [but] I was happy with how it went. It was a really good wake-up and introduced our young boys to what the top flight's about." Standouts included try scorers captain Jeremy Tecklenberg, Leighton Jordan, Hohepa Lewer and Quintin Paraha; with the trusty brigade of the experienced Sandy Hepi, Jay Ngarahu Holly Rudolph also mentioned in dispatches while the "young ones stepped up" too.

Muriwhenua are now looking forward to playing their first game at the new venue of the Kaitaia A&P Showgrounds this Saturday, against the Portland Panthers.

Hora Hora Broncos 44 Kerikeri Makos 18: The Broncos on home turf were always going to be a tough proposition for the Makos. Working with a squad made up of mostly new recruits, Kerikeri coach Benson Selwyn said the visitors actually came back in the second spell to make this more of a contest.

"A team full of new guys learning the ropes. Once they start playing an 80-minute game, who knows what will happen" he said. Point-scorers at Hora Hora included Tatawhai Tahere with three tries and Braiden Burgess with one, and Heemi Nai Tairua kicking two goals; while standouts included Tahere at centre and standoff Jamal King. Kerikeri may be relinquishing home advantage for the next game of the round against Hikurangi by playing this match in Hikurangi tomorrow night, part of a double header curtainraised by the Knights vs Tigers match.

Other results from round 2: Takahiwai Warriors 28 Portland Panthers 18, Northern Wairoa Bulls 48 Otangarei Knights 22.