Grassroots: North Harbour Rugby

Takapuna remained top dogs of Harbour rugby with a no frills 24-17 away win over Silverdale, in the process confirming their favouritism to retain the club premiership.

With one match remaining, Takapuna have already secured the Wayne Shelford Trophy for first-round honours.

Takapuna's experience and pressure told as they scored three tries to two. All their tries went to the flankers - Brent Wilson (2) and Patrick Flavell.

Takapuna led 8-0 at halftime, but Silverdale rallied early second spell, reserve halfback Andrew Gowling picking up a try and Mike Wilson adding a penalty and conversion for a 10-8 lead.

But Takapuna responded with two tries the last quarter, Wilson's second a gem as he scampered 50m, breaking tackles with the speed and finesse of a three-quarter.

Marist beat Kumeu 60-10 to make sure of top-six billing for the championship round.

Marist could do little better than break even in the forwards, but their backs tore Kumeu apart - wings Alex Florian and Mike Palmer and fullback Andrew Tihore scoring six of their 10 tries.

Northcote, who meet Takapuna this week, kept their top-six hopes alive by beating Helensville 36-15.

East Coast Bays, inspired by replacement loosehead prop Fotu Tonga making big charging runs to open up the defence, scored 10 tries to beat Mahurangi 60-17.

Navy defaulted, leaving North Shore in sixth spot.

Massey and Glenfield meet at North Harbour Stadium at 12.30pm today in the curtainraiser to the New Zealand Maori v Tonga international.

With one round to go, Takapuna lead with 44 points ahead of Silverdale (36), Marist (34) and Massey (33 with a game in hand) all assured of making the top six.

Then come Northcote (32), North Shore (29), Helensville (27) and Bays (25), with Northcote and Shore looking the most likely to complete the six.