Takapuna on top with nine tries

By JOHN GASPARICH

Takapuna adapted to the first chill of the autumn and scored nine tries to wallop Navy 49-0, but the other eight North Harbour sides failed to come to terms with the wind, rain and cold and produced just five tries in four games.

Northcote and the East Coast Bays, highly regarded after first-round wins, battled away gamely, Northcote winning 15-3. Northcote, the better disciplined of the two teams, led 8-0 at halftime, first five-eighths Graham Smith getting a try. The Bays, with the wind in the second half, managed a solitary Nick Evans penalty.

North Shore, unimpressive starting the defence of the Harbour championship, relied on kicks at goal to beat Helensville 9-6. Massey, thumped 30-10 by Northcote in the first round, reverted to the basics, downing Marist 13-6. The big Massey pack was brought into play, silly mistakes eliminated and the match plan obeyed.

Wing Adam Blackie scored when the ball was fed wide, and blindside flanker Malua Tipi scored another. Marist could manage only two Karl Doherty penalties.

Glenfield came from 3-0 down at halftime to beat Silverdale 16-9, on the back of a try to Stacey Tapsell, and three penalties and a conversion from Alan Linstrom.

The way Navy were put to rest Takapuna coach Clayton Moors can take heart he has a side of championship quality.

There was class in the way Cameron Avery got in for two tries and lock Matt Lord chimed in with his first try for the team.