League: Takahiwai romp home against Hora Hora in premiership

Takahiwai fullback Richie Levita stood out during their 64-24 win over Hora Hora. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Takahiwai piled on 44 unanswered first-half points to ease past Hora Hora in the RLN Premiership.

The visitors were irrepressible in the opening stanza as they eventually ran out 66-24 winners.

It didn't take long for Takahiwai to get on the scoreboard as fullback Richie Levita set up prop Ed Wilson for the opening try.

A couple of minutes later Takahiwai doubled their lead as second-rower Charles Tarau charged through five would-be defenders to run it under the posts.

Levita was rewarded for his early efforts soon after with a try of his own from a set play off the scrum and once Ross McFarlane busted over, Takahiwai were up 22-0 with barely 15 minutes gone.

Hora Hora, try as they might, couldn't build consistent attacking pressure and their errors made it simple for Takahiwai to work their way towards the tryline at will.

McFarlane added a second after halfback Jesse Epiha finds him on a great short ball before tries to Tarau and standoff Kyle Hool extended the visitors' lead to 38.

Takahiwai added another just before the break to hold the 44-point advantage.

With the result effectively set in stone at the half Hora Hora came out firing to open the second spell, scoring on the first set after a nice set-up from fullback Jaydon Kiernan.

Two sets later Hora Hora were on the charge again and Ratahi Thompson crashed over as they looked to pull off the unlikeliest of comebacks.

To Hora Hora's credit, they looked the better side in the second half as Takahiwai couldn't maintain the error-free play they enjoyed in the first half.

With tries to Kiernan, hooker Tahu Tawhiwhirangi and standoff Manaaki Tawhiwhirangi helped add respectability to the scoreline but in the end Takahiwai were far too clinical.

McFarlane completed a hattrick late in the second half with Nicholas Schuster and Epiha also adding four-pointers.

Meanwhile Otangarei Knights took out the battle of the unbeaten sides as they defeated Moerewa Tigers 26-18.

Otangarei proved they are the team to beat this year as they beat the 2017 RLN Premiership winners in an enthralling contest.

The win also secured them the Harry Clyde Cup.

In the other match Portland Panthers shut out Northern Wairoa Bulls as they cruised to a 30-0 victory.

RLN Premiership results:
Moerewa Tigers 18-26 Otangarei Knights
Hora Hora Broncos 24-64 Takahiwai Warriors
Portland Panthers 30-0 Northern Wairoa Bulls