Rugby: Try blitz keeps Old Boys Marist unbeaten

OBM's Joel Tugaga keeps to his feet with the pressure from Waipu's Sean McCully and Vesoni Uluvula during his side's 45-11 win. Photo/Tania Whyte

A five-try second-half blitz has helped Old Boys Marist remain unbeaten in the Bayleys Premier competition.

After a tight first spell, OBM pulled away to end 45-11 victors over Waipu at Caledonian Park, giving them their fourth consecutive defeat.

With intermittent rain throughout the game, you would be forgiven if you thought the match would be a low-scoring affair and it certainly looked that way in the first spell.

Both sides traded plenty of errors, turnovers and penalties as they couldn't stamp their marks with ball in hand.

Waipu opened the scoring through an opportunistic intercept try to winger Tavite Gadeisuva, before OBM halfback Matty Markwick returned serve.

Waipu managed to regain the lead through a penalty goal but a sustained goal line barrage resulted in a try to OBM flanker Kara Pryor, giving them a 14-8 lead going into the break.

Waipu first five Ben Macken kicked another penalty straight after the break and it was looking as if the game would go down to the wire.

But OBM had other ideas.

They opened the floodgates and all of a sudden found their attacking rhythm.

OBM scored three tries in quick time - two to flanker Aorangi Stokes, and a brilliant solo effort from Junior Ligairi - while Waipu started to make costly errors.

Waipu conceded penalties inside their own territory, which didn't aid their cause and in no time at all found themselves in a hole too deep to dig themselves out of.

Markwick, who controlled the game brilliantly from the base of the scrum, scored a well deserved second try late in the match and following another score, OBM stormed to a 45-11 lead.

Although they couldn't break through the Waipu defence again, OBM once again gained maximum points, cementing their position as the form team in Northland.

Meanwhile, Mid Northern remain within touching distance on the ladder after a 29-12 win over Hikurangi.

Mid Northern's defence once again stood out, helping them secure their sixth consecutive win.

Western Sharks were dealt a blow as they suffered a 27-21 loss to the surging Hora Hora.

Sharks had only lost once before this game, while the win could see Hora Hora into the top four.

In the other two matches, Otamatea took out a high-scoring affair against Mid Western 42-36, while Kamo beat Wellsford 25-12.

Results: Premier:
Mid Northern 29 Hikurangi 12
Otamatea 42 Mid Western 36
OBM 45 Waipu 11
Kamo 25 Wellsford 12
Hora Hora 27 Western Sharks 21

Premier Reserve:
Mid Northern 32 Hikurangi 5
Otamatea 17 Mid Western 14
OBM 46 Waipu 16
Wellsford 24 Kamo 14
Western Sharks 28 Hora Hora 22

Championship North Zone:
Kaitai 17 Panguru 12
Kerikeri A 32 Eastern 10
Te Rarawa 24 Kerikeri B 21
Ohaeawai/Okaihau 42 Kaeo 15
Awanui 27 Kaikohe 13

Championship South Zone:
Mangakahia 5 Otiria 34
Moerewa/UK 29 Whangaruru 27
Ruawai 12 Southern 36
Tomarata 45 Pipiwai 5
Kaihu win by default