Rugby: Hokianga keeps hopes alive

HERE WE GO: Richard Koroi of the Hokianga Pioneers kicks-off. PHOTO/TANIA WHYTE

The Hokianga Pioneers have kept their semifinal hopes in check, carving out a convincing 30-16 win over the Hora Hora Broncos.

Fresh off a bye in the last round, Hokianga had plenty to play for after losing Andre Lennox to a career-ending leg injury in their last match versus Portland which was called-off.

Hokianga coach Jason Smith was proud of how his boys fronted up for the Hora Hora match but said they needed to focus on playing for themselves in the coming weeks.

"We're missing Andre, I saw it today [Saturday] because there's big gap to fill so the rest of the boys have to stand up to the plate.

"We had our moments, the score wasn't an indication of the game though. The boys looked a bit flat compared to other games they've played but they played really well today [Saturday], I was really proud of them."

En route to Whangarei for the match against Hora Hora, Smith said the weather was stormy up North so it was a pleasant surprise to play in better-than-expected conditions at the Hora Hora grounds.

Though Hokianga didn't bring the stormy weather with them, they managed to storm the field and run in several good tries.

"Our intention this week was to just make sure the boys were structured and our discipline was pretty good," Smith said.

Hokianga's round 17 win puts them into a better position as the playoffs loom and to cap it off, the Otangarei Knights lost their match, 36-10, versus the Takahiwai Warriors, as did the Muriwhenua Falcons who lost to Hikurangi, 8-30, which helps Hokianga's situation on the premiership leaderboard.

Otangarei did well to take down season leaders Moerewa in the previous round but they were no match for Takahiwai who were playing on home soil.

Takahiwai are continuing to find their feet after going through an up-and-down mid-season, and are now serious contenders for the major premiership in the coming weeks. The remaining fixture of the round, between Moerewa and the Northern Wairoa Bulls, was won by Moerewa by default.