Kamo dominate Wellsford in premier rugby

Wellsford's Neil Warnock is hit hard in the collision as he manages to clear the ball. Kamo managed to win the collision, battle of the breakdown and the match - 22-5 - against Wellsford in Kamo on Saturday.

Kamo produced a dominant performance at home to knock over Wellsford 22-5 in the Bayleys Premiership, even though the scoreline doesn't show it.

Both coaches agreed Kamo controlled the match as the hosts asserted themselves in the collision and breakdown.

Wellsford coach Brad Te Haara complemented Kamo for their efforts in shutting his side down, saying his side lived on "scraps" for the majority of Saturday's match.

Kamo's Tom Herman passes the ball onto a teammate during Saturday's Bayleys Premiership win where Kamo were praised for their team work.

"We had our opportunities, probably about three or four really good ones, but [Kamo] scrambled really well and shut us down.

"They won the battle of the breakdown so we were living on scraps," Te Haara said, adding the weather didn't really play a part in the result.

For Kamo, it is their fourth win on the trot and keeps their play off hopes alive.

Coach Cam Goodhue felt his side stepped up and got the result they were after in a match he described as good old fashion rugby.

"Our defensive effort was massive. With about 10 minutes to go, and the score 15-5, they were hard on our line and we held on - that sort of goal line defence shows the boys were playing for each other.

"For me, I felt the forwards really stepped up and won the battle up front. On top of that we also took our opportunities."

Both coaches noted the impact of second five Blake Hohaia, saying he will be pushing hard for Taniwha selection in the coming weeks.

The result doesn't rule either side out of the playoffs, however each have must win matches over the next two weeks.

Te Haara was ruing lost opportunities in the first round for putting them in the position of fighting for a playoff spot.

"You don't mind losing games like this against Kamo where you've played well and given it a good effort, but in that first round there were games we didn't play well at all."

Kamo's chances rest massively on this weekend's penultimate round where they face Waipu at Caledonia Park.

In other matches this weekend; Hira helped their playoff chances by beating the Western Sharks 27-19, Old Boys Marist continued their dominance of the competition winning 41-26 over Waipu, Mid Northern also were easy winners in beating Hikurangi 36-7.

Meanwhile the bottom of the table clash between Otamatea and Mid Western proved to be a good arm wrestle, with Otamatea coming up trumps 21-15.

Northland rugby results Premier:
Kamo 22 Wellsford 5, OBM 41 Waipu 26, Otamatea 21 Mid Western 15, Hira Hira 27 Western Sharks 19, Mid Northern 36 Hikurangi 7.
Premier Reserves
Kamo 45 Wellsford 0, OBM 13 Waipu 12, Otamatea 19 Mid Western 17, Hira Hira 41 Western Sharks 12, Mid Northern 29 Hikurangi 6.
Bay of Islands
Kerikeri 64 Kaeo 0, Moerewa/UK 41 Ohaeawai/Okaihau 0, Kaikohe 56 Otiria 0
Mangonui
Awanui 61 Panguru 3, Eastern 37 Te Rarawa 5, Kaitaia bye.
Blackie Memorial
Kaihu 34 Whangaruru 5.