Waipu fullback Jason Young makes a break during his side's 31-21 win over Mid Western in the Bayleys Premiership. Photo/Michael Cunningham
Waipu fullback Jason Young makes a break during his side's 31-21 win over Mid Western in the Bayleys Premiership. Photo/Michael Cunningham
Waipu made it two wins from two in the Bayleys Premiership with a 31-21 victory over Mid Western.
Helped by a dominating scrum, Waipu led from start to finish in a high energy match. Waipu coach Graham Dewes was fairly happy with how his charges played, but is still looking forimprovement.
"We played reasonably well. We tried a few different things that we'd been working on at training and some of them came off," he said.
"We made a few mistakes but that happens. We also tried some new combinations and brought some different guys in but it was a great hit out for us.
"We did have a great scrum and it has come from having the same group of boys for a couple of seasons. That consistency is starting to show.
"There is still a lot of improvement we need to do in each facet of the game but we're taking it one week at a time."
Mid Western looked likely early on with flanker Grayson Thyne threatening around the rucks and with ball in hand.
But it was Waipu who opened the scoring after number eight Nick Murray set up winger Louis Ward for a well worked try. Prop Mike Tuiloma crashed over shortly after to give Waipu a 12-0 lead.
In the North Zone, Eastern dismantled Te Rarawa 62-0 while Awanui (40-12 over Kaitaia) and Ohaewai/Okaihau (55-15 against Panguru) also had big victories.
Kaikohe took a 27-18 win over Kerikeri B while Kerikeri A won 33-15 against Kaeo.
The South Zone was highlighted by a 74-7 demolition of City by Moerewa/United Kawakawa. Mangakahia, Pipiwai and Kaihu also had victories.
Whangaruru racked up the biggest total of the season in their 89-14 demolition of Otiria.
Results
Northland Premier: Hikurangi 41 Wellsford 19 Hora Hora 0 OBM 43 Mid Northern 36 Otamatea 25 Waipu 31 Mid Western 21 Western Sharks 22 Kamo 18
