Player movements played a vital role in North Harbour rugby on Saturday when unbeaten Takapuna struggled to beat a lowly rated East Coast Bays 10-3 and second-placed Kumeu were upset 18-19 by Glenfield.
The return of Slade McFarland and Mark Robinson from the Super 12 was the tonic the Bays needed.
McFarland added bulk, experience and leadership to the pack. Behind that pack Robinson, committed to the Vikings' reserve bench until the second half against Scotland on Friday night, was back to his form of old.
Takapuna started strongly. Blair Urlich, who makes his Harbour representative debut on the open side flank against Bay of Plenty on Wednesday, scored a try converted by Steve Eskeridge who also added a penalty for a 10-3 halftime lead. That was the end of the scoring.
Kumeu, minus six players (five backs, one forward) called up for Tonga's test with the All Blacks on Friday were disadvantaged but had little excuse going down to Glenfield. With the championship play-offs still in sight, Glenfield had the will to win. The pack on top, good ball was astutely used by the Little brothers, Walter and Lawrence, in the five-eighths and Aisea Tuilevu at centre. Metu Egalini added the icing on the cake, kicking two penalty goals in the last 10 minutes.
Marist consolidated third place for the play-offs, beating Massey 34-3. Hooker Joe Ward's three tries illustrated forward dominance, the backs sure and safe in a complete team effort.
North Shore made a slow start, leading Northcote 8-0 at halftime. The pack took charge in the second spell. Phil Weedon, a lock or flanker at the coaches' discretion, scored his sixth try of the season and a young five-eighths, Brad Tingle, made a handy premier rugby debut, kicking two conversions and two penalties in a comprehensive 30-0 win.
Silverdale cemented fourth place and a likely berth in the play-offs, beating Navy 32-7. Mahurangi notched the third win of the season 27-22, virtually ending Helensville chances of making the last five.
- J.A. Gasparich
