Rugby: Kamo the team to beat after toppling defending champions Old Boys Marist 29-22

Kamo's Dan Wells takes on the line with Blake Hohaia in support. OBM's Micky Seymour attempts to stop him. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE

Kamo have picked up their biggest win of the season and cemented themselves as the team to beat in the Bayleys Premier division.

They overcame two-time defending champions Old Boys Marist 29-22 to maintain their perfect run in 2018.

Kamo coach Cam Goodhue said it was a real team effort in a game that could have gone the other way.

"First and foremost it was a great spectacle for rugby. Either side really could have won that," he said.

"That being said, it was a great team effort. Kane Jacobsen and Jack Stracker were immense with their work ethic and our wingers Ethan Benney and Jayden Laupepe were really solid out there."

It wasn't a comfortable victory for Kamo as they were again reduced to 14 men after repeated infringements left lock Rueben Wright seeing yellow.

OBM's Renata Te Nana impressed for the home side, while inside back pairing Dan Wells and Blake Hohaia impressed with ball in hand.

OBM held a slender 17-10 lead at the break as the game was showing why these sides lead the way on the table.

Goodhue said they weren't too concerned at the break.

"We let them have too many easy metres around the ruck and we needed to be more disciplined but we felt pretty comfortable," he said.

Kamo's efforts doubled in the second stanza where three tries, including one to captain Mac Sykes, saw them home and made them six from six.

That win gives Kamo a four-point buffer at the top of the leaderboard over Hora Hora, while OBM slips into third.

Hora Hora meanwhile snuck home against a determined Mid Northern outfit who, despite now having four losses and just one victory, maintain their spot in the top four.

Hora Hora took the result 34-33 as they continue their strong run this season while Mid Northern had yet another result decided by less than seven points.

Waipu kept pace with Mid Northern on the cusp of the top four, beating Western Sharks 20-13.

Tavite Gadeisuva bagged a hat-trick in an impressive individual performance to lead his side home.

In the other matches, Kerikeri bounced back into winning form, beating Wellsford 32-14, while Hikurangi staved off a committed Otamatea outfit to win 15-14.

Bayleys Northland Club Rugby results

Premier:
Hikurangi 15-14 Otamatea
Mid Northern 33-34 Hora Hora
Old Boys Marist 22-29 Kamo
Wellsford 14-32 Kerikeri
Western Sharks 13-20 Waipu

Premier Reserve:
Hikurangi 26-14 Otamatea
Mid Northern 26-29 Hora Hora
Old Boys Marist 29-17 Kamo
Wellsford 35-39 Kerikeri
Western Sharks 20-0 Waipu

North Zone:
Awanui 60-31 Ohaeawai/Okaihau
Kaikohe 17-28 Eastern
Kaitaia 12-42 Moerewa/United Kawakawa
Otiria 22-33 Te Rarawa
Panguru beat Kaeo by default

South Zone:
Kaihu 75-0 Dargaville
Whangaruru 17-36 Mangakahia
Southern 17-38 Tommarata
Pipiwai 7-43 Mid Western