Rugby: Marist too strong

Waipu halfback Louie Ward gets his team going. Photo / John Stone

Old Boys Marist made a striking start to the premier season with a 48-9 win over Waipu in the opening round of the Bayleys Southern Districts Premier competition.

Benefiting from the inclusion of new Taniwha first five-eighth Peter Breen in the side, Old Boys Marist were able to capitalise on his tactical nous around the park.

However, head coach Greg Shipton said Waipu were in the fight until the final whistle.

"It was a lot tighter than the score indicated. They were a good side, but we just had some things go our way," he said.

"I thought their backs were good, it was an even contest," he added. "He [Breen] was solid, he played well, but they all played well. It was a physical game and it was just a battle of attrition really."

Pleased to get the ball rolling with a convincing first-up win, Shipton said his team could face some challenges in the next few rounds.

"It's always good to start off with a win, but we've got a couple of biggies coming up in the next few weeks with Mid Northern and Wellsford - that'll be a big tester for the boys," he said.

Meanwhile, one of the standout matches of the round went down to the wire as Mid Northern got one back over archrivals Wellsford with a thrilling 42-40 victory at Centennial Park.

Hot favourites through the 2015 season, both sides managed to carry their form through to the new season, but it was the 2015 runners-up, Mid Northern, who were able to edge in front of the reigning premier champions in a thriller.

In other matches of the round, the Western Sharks drew level in a 19-all clash with Hora Hora at Farmlands Park, Otamatea ground out a tight 44-34 victory over Mid Western in Kaiwaka, while Hikurangi enjoyed a round one win, taking Kamo down 24-5.

Northland Club Rugby Results:

Southern Districts Premier: Old Boys Marist 48 Waipu 9; Mid Northern 42 Wellsford 40; Western Sharks 19 Hora Hora 19; Otamatea 44 Mid Western 34; Hikurangi 24 Kamo 5.

Southern Districts Premier Reserves: Mid Northern 31 Wellsford 22; Waipu 11 Old Boys Marist 6; Western Sharks 38 HoraHora 17; Otamatea 48 Mid Western 10; Kamo 11 Hikurangi 8.