Rugby league: Takahiwai, Otangarei taste round-four victory in Northland premier grade

Takahiwai's playmaker, Richie Levita (with ball), has been vital to their success. Photo / Ngareka Bensemann

Takahiwai carried on their unbeaten run in Northland's premier rugby league competition on Saturday at home after overcoming the Horahora Broncos, 26-4.

In a dominant display, Takahiwai claimed their fourth consecutive win of the competition and now head into a bye week knowing their recent form has put them in a great position to challenge for the title.

In the round's other game, the Otangarei Knights recorded a win by default when they travelled to play the Northern Wairoa Bulls on Saturday.

Knights coach Des Nordstrand said the opposition did not have enough registered players to play an official game but felt it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to take the field.

"We'd gone all the way over there and we had the win, so we thought we might as well play," he said.

Nordstrand said the game was patchy with a number of errors which raised tensions as the game progressed. Despite losing a player through concussion, Nordstrand was confident the game would help his team's development for the rest of the competition.

"We are getting better each week but we have a lot of work to do. We had four core players out, but otherwise we went well."

He said it was good to see the Bulls back in the competition after the northern side had to miss most of last year's season.

"It's good to have to have them back because we need them to play and they've got a good team. They just need to work on a few things and they'll get better."

In round five, Horahora take on Otangarei while the Portland Panthers come back from their bye week to play the Bulls.