League: Stags turn tables on Knights

Hikurangi Stags' Dillon Wihongi shakes the tackle of an Otangarei Knights player during their 44-16 win at Fishbone Park. Photo / Michael Cunningham

For a match that was set to be a replay of last year's Rugby League Northland grand final, Saturday's game between the Hikurangi Stags and Otangarei Knights was anything but.

A divergent Hikurangi outfit converged upon Fishbone Park at the weekend, taking the Otangarei side down 44-16, thus spoiling the Knights hopes for a scoreline reminiscent of last year's season decider in which they won.

Though the Stags line-up featured plenty of new faces, stand-in coach Jarom Henare was pleased with his team's ability to persevere.

"It's good confidence for us to beat the defending champions here. We've got some new players but we've bonded together quite well for our first game. There's a few that have come from rugby and are keen for something different. It's just good to get a win."

Though the scoreline depicted a heavy defeat, the Knights team got off to a strong start with good tries in the opening phases of the match.

Hikurangi took a while to reach fifth gear and the Knights made them pay for it early in the piece with a good game from Herewini Edmonds and fierce defence from the Otangarei forwards. However, the Stags weren't ready to settle for a repeat of their 28-26 loss in last year's premiership grand final.

The final 40 minutes of the match was all class from Hikurangi which included notable performances from Dillion Wihongi, Calem Henare and Tom Plamer.

A runaway try from well within the Stags half proved to be the deciding factor as they cruised toward a hard-fought victory.

Looking to next week, Hikurangi face another tough match-up on the road against 2014's Minor Premiers Takahiwai.

Henare says his side are aware they face another tough task and that their round one game versus Otangarei was "good preparation for that."

With the fresh-faced side featuring a "good mix of experience and youth," it appears Stags fans are in for another good season.