League: Falcons look to soar

Saturday's clash between the Muriwhenua Falcons and the Takahiwai Warriors is important for both teams as clubs in the Whangarei and Districts Rugby League jockey for position with the second round looming.

The Kaitaia-based Falcons are looking forward to matching up against one of the most successful clubs in Northland, who uncharacteristically sit in seventh place.

A win could see the Falcons rise to as high as second place, their coach John Tahana said.

"It should be a ripper but we're confident we can get the jump on them and confidence is what has got us through so far in the competition," he said.

They will try to win the battle up front against the visiting Warriors. The side has a good blend of youth and experience but it is their enthusiasm about representing the country's northernmost area that is pulling them through in the close games.

"I said at the beginning of the season we'll make the semis and I reckon we'll give it a good crack."

Running a league club from the Far North is a challenge, with travel - and its associated costs - a weekly chore.

"There are still a lot of people sitting on the fence up here, rather than getting involved, but there's also the challenge of a slow local economy which makes it hard even to sell raffle tickets, let alone find regular sponsors."

Tahana is one of the original members of the Far North Falcons who began playing together in 1977.

"I left for Australia two years later and came back here in 2009 and wondered what had happened to the league," he said.

"It's all about the kids - the seniors will look after themselves - but the kids need to start playing earlier, they can't expect to make the NRL if they're still playing rugby in their teens."

After 18 months of meetings with like-minded people the club was formed in October 2011 and they're full swing into their first season.

In the weekend's other games, frontrunners Hikurangi host the Bay Slayers, Hora Hora play third-placed Moerewa at home and Whangarei Marist host Kaikohe in a lower table encounter.

Northern Wairoa will be hoping improve on their top-five position with a win over second-placed Hokianga Pioneers in Dargaville, while Otaua host City Knights hoping for a big effort to break their duck in this year's competition.