Rugby: Hora Hora and Old Boys Marist upsets strengthen Kamo's hold

The latest club results from Northland. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The defeats of Hora Hora and Old Boys Marist have strengthened Kamo's stranglehold on the Bayleys Premier competition with five rounds to go.

Old Boys Marist lost 28-17 to fellow top-four side Waipu, who now put some distance (41 competition points) between themselves and the chasing pair of Mid Northern and Kerikeri (both 31).

Meanwhile Hora Hora fell 24-10 to Wellsford in something of an upset. Wellsford have been steadily improving throughout the season and that win keeps their faint semifinal hopes alive.

Those defeats opened up a 17-point gap between that pair and leaders Kamo, who continued their unbeaten streak with a win over Mid Northern.

The change in time of day from afternoon to evening did little to rattle Kamo, who eased out to a 30-15 win to further dent Mid Northern's chances of a return to the final.

In the other clashes, Kerikeri continued their impressive run with a 31-21 win over Hikurangi while Otamatea and Western Sharks battled out to a 15-all stalemate.

Meanwhile Kamo's dominance continues to extend to the reserve grade as they picked up their 12th win from 13 matches.

Kamo beat Mid Northern 35-24 in a top-four classic.

Mid Northern almost managed to come back from a 28-0 halftime deficit, but the hill was too big for the hosts to climb.

Old Boys Marist suffered a setback with a 24-7 win, keeping them 14 points away from Kamo in second place.

Wellsford's 37-13 bonus-point win over Hora Hora kept them nestled in the top four, three points ahead of Kerikeri.

Kerikeri kept pace with a tough 27-19 win over Hikurangi while Otamatea made sure they were still in playoff contention with a 19-3 win over Western Sharks.

Bayleys Northland Club Rugby results

Premier:
Waipu 28-17 Old Boys Marist
Mid Northern 15-30 Kamo
Hikurangi 21-31 Kerikeri
Wellsford 24-10 Hora Hora
Otamatea 15-15 Western Sharks

Premier Reserve:
Waipu 24-7 Old Boys Marist
Mid Northern 24-35 Kamo
Hikurangi 19-27 Kerikeri
Wellsford 37-13 Hora Hora
Otamatea 19-3 Western Sharks