League: Moerewa, Takahiwai battle to 24-all stalemate

A busy week of club rugby league brought about a thrilling draw, a dominating victory and a tight tussle. Photo / Getty Images

Last year's RLN Premiership finalists couldn't be separated on the field as Moerewa Tigers and Takahiwai Warriors battled to a 24-all draw.

Sitting second and third on the ladder respectively after the first half of the competition, both Moerewa and Takahiwai were keen to get an important win to keep pace with Otangarei Knights.

Moerewa were down on personnel for the match but that didn't seem apparent at the game as they showed much of the grit and determination that took them to the RLN Premiership title in 2017.

But Takahiwai, the 2016 champions and 2017 finalists, were up for a battle after striking form near the end of the first round of regular season play.

Neither side could get the definitive try as both teams created and squandered plenty of opportunities to go with their try scoring exploits.

The 24-all draw was the right representation of a back and forth contest, meaning Otangarei kept their lead at the top of the table.

Meanwhile Otangarei Knights continued their dominance of the RLN Premiership with another big victory, this time over Northern Wairoa Bulls.

Northern Wairoa were almost powerless to stop Otangarei's attacking clinic as they went down 64-18.

The trip to Fishbone Park has not been an easy one for teams in 2018 and Northern Wairoa met the same fate as those who went before them - a comfortable defeat at the hands of the form team.

The win puts Otangarei three points ahead of Moerewa on the RLN Premiership ladder, giving them a little bit of breathing room.

In the final match of the round Portland Panthers were made to work hard by Hora Hora Broncos in their 22-17 win.

Hora Hora showed good signs in the second half of their loss to Takahiwai last week and continued that momentum into the second round of the regular season.

Portland however were desperate for their third win of the season to maintain their spot in the top four and while it didn't all go their way, they did enough to pick up the result.