Rugby: Newcomers stun Northcote

Matt Luamanu scored one of North Shore's tries. Photo / Getty Images

Western Pioneers, newcomers to North Harbour premier club rugby this year as a result of merging the senior players of the Helensville and Kumeu clubs, caused a major boilover in second round matches yesterday.

Fresh from a 39-9 hammering of East Coast Bays in the opening round, Western upset last year's champions Northcote 19-16 in front of an excited home crowd at Helensville. A dropped goal by Western first five Regan Oxenham proved the difference.

Coached by Lindsay Ellery, who is vastly experienced having been in charge over many years of premier sides in both Auckland and Harbour, Western have successfully recruited a number of players and are already looming as a championship threat.

Northcote have lost many from last year's side but still started impressively this season with a 54-0 win over Marist.

Silverdale, with Charlie McAlister having returned to club coaching, are another side which could threaten the usual balance of power in Harbour rugby.

Yesterday Silverdale gained their second win of the season by finishing all over Takapuna for a 23-16 win.

Poor goalkicking looked as if it might have cost Silverdale the win but right on fulltime, powerful running fullback Jordan Puletua, who with Willie Halahalo in the midfield had caused havoc among the Takapuna defence, crossed for the winning try.

North Shore overcame a half-time deficit to power away from Bays in the second spell for a 30-13 win. No 8 Matt Luamanu returned from duty with the Blues in the Super 15 to score one of Shore's tries.

Glenfield are another side much improved from last year and gained a second consecutive win in the dying minutes, 24-19 over Marist.

Massey routed Mahurangi 113-5, scoring 17 tries, of which wing Jerome Niumata contributed six and first five-eighths Richard Lobb also had a field day with 31 points.