The Moerewa Tigers proved they are on the prowl in Rugby League Northland's Multikai Cooker Premiership after claiming the prize scalp of Otangarei Knights 28-24 on Saturday.
It is perhaps their biggest win of the season to date, but more importantly it was their third consecutive win as they eyea place in the finals, leaving them tied with Northern Wairoa in sixth equal position.
The Tigers needed all their experience to beat the high-flying Knights after they led 24-10 at the break but had to hold off Otangarei as they mounted an impressive second-half comeback at Simson Park in Moerewa.
Tigers' stalwart Tom Tauranga said it was a good performance to hold out the classy young Whangarei team.
"They've got a lot of good quick young fellas in that team and in the end we were very pleased to be able to hang on to the win by our fingernails," he said.
The result leaves them in with a good chance of making the top six after a dismal start to the season.
"We were short of players at the beginning of the competition and we were slow taking off but now we've got a bit of momentum, we're looking to finish off the season by putting some more wins together," he said.
The Tiger's resolve will be tested when they travel to Dargaville next week to take on Northern Wairoa Bulls, who are level with them on 10 points.
"They're going to be hard, especially down there, but we're hoping to keep going the momentum we've started," Tauranga said.
Takahiwai Warriors maintained their lead in the competition by beating the Bulls 62-24 in Dargaville, while the Hikurangi Stags were too strong for the Kerikeri Makos 42-18 to move ahead of the Knights into second place.
In other matches, Portland Panthers crushed Muriwhenua Kuaka 34-10 to stay in fourth place, while Hokianga Pioneers beat Hora Hora Broncos 40-12, to remain in fifth.
