Takahiwai have put themselves in the box seat to repeat their 2016 title after booking a spot in the RLN Premiership final.
The defending champions showed they are still the team to beat after defeating minor premiers Otangarei 22-12.
Takahiwai underlined again why they are an elite team as they strangled Otangarei defensively throughout the contest at Toll Stadium.
Led by the likes of Northern Swords representative half Kyle Hool, forward Nicolas Poutuma and experienced centre Ross McFarlane, Takahiwai put on a top display.
Otangarei fought hard but in the end were unable to get the result and will instead have to face Moerewa for a place in the final.
Moerewa have moved one step closer to the title with a strong 46-28 win over Hikurangi.
Moerewa have relied on their attack all season and for good reason. They have averaged more than 50 points a game for the year and again went close to topping that against the returning Stags.
Hikurangi enjoyed a strong return season in the RLN Premiership and recovered well from their opening round 84-6 drubbing at the hands of Moerewa.
They showed a lot of heart at Toll Stadium and managed to give Moerewa a bit of a scare as they ran in a few tries of their own.
But Moerewa were just too strong, particularly in the first spell.
RLN Premiership leading scorer Jaydenn Bentley-Hape opened Moerewa's account before barnstorming centre Te Tuhi Tipene crossed for his 26th try this year.
Brodee Palmer, DJ Palmer and Rock Wiki also added tries as Moerewa held a 30-16 lead.
Moerewa slowed it down with an early penalty goal in the second half to Bentley-Hape before tries to Wilson Hona, Wiki and Tipene sealed the deal despite Hikurangi's best efforts.
Wiki and Bentley-Hape picked up four goals a piece, taking Bentley-Hape's season points haul to an impressive 206 (25 tries and 53 goals).
Hikurangi added another two four-pointers of their own in the second stanza but it wasn't enough to stop the 18-point lead.
The major semifinal between Moerewa and Otangarei will be played at Toll Stadium on Sunday.