Harbour beat Southland and take five points

9.30pm

North Harbour jumped to second place in the NPC first division with a 35-16 win over Southland at Albany tonight.

They scored a bonus point-earning fourth try seven minutes from the end to move from sixth place to second on 16 points. They are behind Taranaki (19 points) and one point ahead of Wellington before the rest of the weekend games.

The score was a good reflection of the game, with Harbour scoring some fine tries through the cutting edge of their backs.

Centre Anthony Tuitavake, blindside flanker Brent Wilson, second five-eight Luke McAlister and winger Hosea Gear scored Harbour's tries, with McAlister adding three penalties and three conversions for 20 points.

Southland's points came from a try each by second five-eighth Bryan Milne and flanker Hale T-Pole. First five-eighth Richard Apanui kicked two penalties.

North Harbour 35 (Anthony Tuitavake, Brent Wilson, Luke McAlister, Hosea Gear tries; McAlister 2 pen, 3 con) beat Southland 16 (Bryan Milne, Hale T-Pole tries; Richard Apanui 2 pen).

Halftime: 22-13.

- NZPA

NPC fixtures, results and standings
Division One | Division Two |