United were lacking Jason Babbington at fullback, and missed his incisive territory-gaining kicks. However, halfback Shane Te Maipi took the shots at goal, and slotted three penalties in the first 40.
Just before the break, Tuala scored an unconverted try following a forward pushover, taking the halftime score to 14-6 to Hikurangi.
It was a changed and more disciplined Hiku team that took the field after the break. They won most of the lineouts in the second 40, and their scrums were more dominant.
The Hiku backline forgot the jitters and started working like a well-oiled machine. Veteran Charlie Harrison replaced Jack Waihape at halfback, and directed play well.
After 14 minutes a flawless backline movement took the ball out to wing Caleb Lewis, who flipped it up to fullback Ian Wilson for a try out wide, which was converted by Palmer.
Five minutes later the Hiku forwards did an eight-man shove on the Tokomaru line, and Horace Lewis played the scoring role. Palmer converted.
United took the play back inside the Hiku 22 and were awarded a penalty by referee Chris Wanoa. They ran it and Cannon Parata scored. Te Maipi converted.
Right on fulltime, Caleb Lewis closed Hiku’s account with an intercept, a sprint down the sideline and a try, which Palmer converted.
Hiku coach Koro Ngarimu named his forward pack as joint players of the day.
Hikurangi 38 (Kris Palmer, George Tuala, Ian Wilson, Horace Lewis, Caleb Lewis tries; Kris Palmer 4 con).
Tokomaru United 14 (Cannon Parata try; Shane Te Maipi 4 pen).
¦ Tokararangi hosted a Uawa team determined to obliterate the memory of their first loss of the season the previous weekend. This they did, Uawa winning 44-18.
However, first honours went to Toka, with Morgan Wirepa jr coming to within two metres of the try-line soon after kick-off and Boxer Shaw following that up with an unconverted try after seven minutes.
Uawa replied with a strong break by halfback Sam Parkes, followed by an unconverted try by centre Rocky Manuel after 17 minutes.
The Uawa tight five had a strong game, and the loose trio of Rikki Kernohan, Chris Wanoa and Harley Phillips all got through plenty of work.
Parkes scored Uawa’s next two tries, the first after a strong run down the sideline and the second after a Toka fumble. Both were converted by first-five Tamati Tangohau.
The game was more even than the 22-6 scoreline suggested. The Toka backs were doing well, with Rapata Haerewa making plenty of ground with kicks or his passes along the line. Hone Haerewa and Frank Henderson both played strongly.
During one of his spells out in the backline, prop Morgan Wirepa jr scored Toka’s second try, which went unconverted.
Uawa’s Tawho Stewart replied with a try, converted by Tangohau.
Then Harley Phillips made a strong break and passed to Kerama Leach for another Uawa try, which was converted by Sam Parkes.
Toka’s final try was scored by Watarawi Ngatai.
As well as competition points, the teams were playing for the Api Crawford Memorial Shield, commemorating the 1926-27 Ngati Porou Maori All Black, who was also Uawa coach Peter Crawford’s grandfather.
Uawa 44 (Sam Parkes 2, Jesse Rye, Rocky Monika, Tawho Stewart, Kereama Leach tries; Tamati Tangohau 3, Sam Parkes con).
Tokararangi 18 (Boxer Shaw, Morgan Wirepa jr, Watarawi Ngatai tries).
¦ The match between Waiapu and Hicks Bay at Rangitukia ended in a 40-16 win to Waiapu.
Waiapu played a structured game and got stuck in early, scoring two tries in the first 15 minutes, and a third 10 minutes later.
By halftime the hosts were leading 24-0.
Hicks Bay manager Graeme Summersby said they were missing pivotal players in the backline, and didn’t play an 80-minute game.
However, the visitors came back in the middle of the second half, when Cassius Delamere and Dylan Biddle scored tries.
Waiapu 40 (Nathan Huriwai, Liki Teo, Pakanga Te Whitu, Richie Green, Tojo Maaka tries; Abbey Wawatai 5 con).
Hicks Bay 16 (Cassius Delamere, Dylan Biddle tries; Wayne Young, Leyth Delamere con).
¦ TVC replied to critics — this writer included — who have claimed they don’t travel well when they racked up 94 points in just over 60 minutes against Tawhiti at Tokomaru Bay Domain.
The game was called off at that stage as Tawhiti player Jeremiah Robinson dislocated an ankle and could not be moved until paramedics lifted him into the air ambulance.
This is the fourth bad injury accident this rugby season at the domain.
TVC 94 (Manaia Nyman 2, Brett Douglas 2, Josh McDonald, Te Ura Peta, Hirini Delamere, Hoani Te Moana, Solomone Vaka, Tevita Ahoafi, Moana Mato, Verdon Bartlett, Joey Ford tries; Manaia Nyman 4, Benny Haerewa 4 con).
Tawhiti 0.
Uawa are leading the competition, with 36 points, and United are in second place on 26.
The next four teams are within a point of each other. Hiku are third-equal with Tokararangi on 24 points, and TVC and Waiapu are fifth-equal on 23 points. They are followed by Ruatoria City on 20 points. Hicks Bay are eighth on two points. Tawhiti have yet to register a point.
