Northland remain rooted to the first division base

10.15pm

NORTH HARBOUR 42 NORTHLAND 3

Northland maintained their position at the bottom of the NPC first division points ladder following a thrashing at the hands of North Harbour in Whangarei tonight.

Down 3-21 at halftime, North Harbour eventually doubled their tally as Northland's tired defence wore thin following a 25-minute effort to hold the visitors out in the second half.

All Black Troy Flavell, playing at lock, was outstanding in the loose for North Harbour, and scored his side's final try after a 20m sideline burst following a breakout from the North Harbour 22m line.

Flavell had earlier featured in several bursts, in loose play as well as running off second five-eighth Mark Mayerhofler's shoulder from set pieces.

Northland had parity in the scrums but they were weak around the fringes of the ruck, with North Harbour making good ground all night from their one-off runners.

The Northlanders' usually solid lineout suffered from the loss of injured skipper Glenn Taylor, with North Harbour grabbing at least five throws off Northland.

Northland now face two must-win games against Southland and Bay of Plenty if they are avoid an end-of-season relegation playoff.

North Harbour 42 (Blair Urlich 2, Nick Evans, Mark Mayerhofler, Troy Flavell tries; Luke McAlister 3 pen, 4 con)

Northland 3 (Hayden Taylor pen).

Half time: 21-3.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)