Eastern coach Mike Jurlina noted conditions were good but advised the match was not a pretty spectacle, a messy and stop-start affair.
"Wasn't much in it but they probably wanted it more than us. They had a number of players sent to the bin but we couldn't capitalise on it. Physically the hardest game we've had this year, and I was very proud of our boys' discipline and defence but our attack is still a work in progress."
Jurlina's standouts were skipper Hemi Paraha and Andrew Garton with a try in the forwards, while new man Rod Tahana made a solid debut in the backs, with Tyrone Robinson kicking a penalty and a conversion.
Of course, Kaitaia coach Joe Pomare is a big fan of the "bash up" game and said the match represented everything that was good about the grassroots scene in Far North club rugby in being a close and intensely competitive affair played on a beautiful day in front of what he described as a "huge" crowd.
"Must have been 200, 300 there. We played very well, our scrum was really good." Kaitaia standouts included No8 Wills Henry and the aforementioned Arona, with Pomare giving his overall POTD award to the whole team.
Ngaru Roa 72 Ngati Kuri 24 (ht 30-10): Typical Tony Cook in summing up what turned out to be comfortable win for the homeside at Panguru on Saturday in what must be the longest road trip in Mangonui rugby: "We were lucky to get there.
"It was good. Long way for these fellows to come. A few things we had to work on last week, boys worked really hard over the week. We are still definitely a work in progress. There's still a long way to go, We just want to play, all they want to do is play. First time with a really good bench. Our standout players really started to pull their socks up."
Cook's standouts were his front row, Wes Peita, Koro Peita and A Tipene along with 1st five Hohepa Matiu. Also singled out for praise was ref Wally Harrison who made the long journey to Panguru after finishing work at 7 that morning and also the visiting team.
"Our thanks to them [Ngati Kuri] for coming all the way down. But we'll be going up there that's for sure, [and] they are going to be waiting for us. We had a really good crowd there, good support at home so far this season."
Looking ahead to this week's clash hosting Eastern, Cook noted the venue will be weather determined as a cold front approached the North Island on Sunday. For example if it gets too wet, the game will take place at Broadwood.
Ngati Kuri manager Jaclyn Masters said her boys started strongly and scored first but eventually couldn't keep up with the homeside's fast and steppy backs out wide.
"We need to work hard and get our defence up to scratch for the full 80 minutes to be more of a threat. Our forwards ran the ball hard, with some strong up the gut runs. All in all it was a great day with great hospitality out in the 'wild west'," she said, adding big thanks to the large collective of supporters who travelled such a long way to support their team.
Tries by Jordan Brown (and named back POTD), Cody Tikitiki, Simon Waenga and Peter Boy Waenga; kicks: Stu Jobs conversions 2; also notable was Tomo Murray, the forward POTD.
Also, Awanui 99 Motukohu 7: No comment from either side available on this match at Awanui - with Motukohu reportedly borrowing a couple of players - not that one seems particularly necessary given the final scoreline.
Standings: Mangonui results were still being updated as the Age went to press yesterday, but estimated standings after round 4 were, Awanui 20 points (all bonus-point wins, and now with an 328/35 for/ against tally), Rarawa 19, Kaitaia 18, Eastern 15; Ngati Kuri 9, Motukohu 6, Ngaru Roa 0, Aupouri 0.
