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Home / Northern Advocate

League: Big wins highlight fourth round of RLN Premiership

By Andrew Johnsen
Sports editor·Northern Advocate·
29 Apr, 2018 06:50 PM2 mins to read

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Big wins were this week's trend in the RLN Premiership. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Big wins were this week's trend in the RLN Premiership. PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES

Takahiwai Warriors have clinched the Pitman Cup after easing past the Portland Panthers 56-22.

The fourth round of the RLN Premiership threw up a trio of comfortable victories with the smallest margin being 30 points as Moerewa Tigers and Otangarei Knights continued their unbeaten start to the season.

Takahiwai and Portland have both had stuttering starts to their 2018 campaigns with one win and two losses each.

However Takahiwai sensed an opportunity to turn their season around and did so with precision.

Halfback Joel Freeman was the star of the show as he ran in an impressive hat-trick of tries as Portland had no answer for an attacking onslaught of blue jerseys.

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Hooker Charles Tarau and standoff Kyle Hool each added a brace during the clinical effort inside Portland's half.

Richie Levita, Taine Shelford, Nic Poutama and Wi Thompson also crossed the line in the 11-try romp.

Takahiwai's attacking masterclass showed they have the ability to make a third trip to the grand final in as many years.

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Meanwhile, Moerewa Tigers added another half century of points as they thrashed Northern Wairoa Bulls 60-4.

The Moerewa attack looked every bit as ominous as they did during their 2017 RLN Premiership run, scoring at will while forcing multiple mistakes out of the home side.

In the final game of the round, Otangarei Knights made it four from four as they beat Hora Hora Broncos 34-4.

Otangarei defending resolutely throughout the entire 80 minutes and put on a strong showing at the other end as they dispatched of a willing Hora Hora side.

Next week should bring about the end of one of the unbeaten streaks still active in the RLN Premiership as Moerewa host Otangarei.

In the other matches, Takahiwai has the opportunity to keep reducing the gap between themselves and the top two sides when they take on an improving Hora Hora outfit while Portland and Northern Wairoa have a chance to reverse their round four fortunes when they face each other.

Results:
Takahiwai Warriors 56 Portland Panthers 22, Moerewa Tigers 60 Northern Wairoa Bulls 4, Otangarei Knights 34 Hora Hora Broncos 4.

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