Rugby: Hikurangi hoping for better luck next round

Hikurangi's focus has shifted to the second round of the Southern Districts Premier rugby competition after a 64-7 routing at the hands of Mid Northern.

The 10 tries to one hiding at Hukerenui came at the hands of a polished Mid Northern side that showed early flair and skill as they grabbed a bonus point before the half.

You cannot say Hikurangi weren't competitive in the early stages on Saturday as they rumbled Mid Northern's forwards backwards before turning the ball over regularly.

Mid Northern were calculated on the counter attack, as Hikurangi failed to find touch from penalties four times in the first half, before setting up in Hikurangi's half and lining up a well-weighted cross-field chip that Taniwha loose-forward William Whetton pounced on to score.

Hikurangi coach Troy Raitt said his side's form this season was frustrating because it's not the typical consistently strong performances they were used to.

"We know we're going to come right," Raitt said. "But we've got some young guys coming through in key positions, they'll come right. They're getting better week-in, week-out."

He said Hukerenui had never been a happy hunting ground for Hikurangi, remembering a few times he had been on the receiving end of similar scoring matches during his playing days.

Raitt added that injury and unavailability had not helped his side this season with Northland ITM Cup players Tim Dow [injured] and Rhyan Caine [unavailable] out.

With the second round due to start in three weeks, Raitt said it gave his side a breath of fresh air and hoped a few more results would go their way.

"I think people will be taking us lightly in the second round because they've beaten us first time round."

In other premier club rugby matches this weekend Hora Hora couldn't produce the same match-winning form they had last weekend against Old Boys Marist, going down 12-11 to Wellsford. Meanwhile, Kamo beat Waipu 47-18; Old Boys Marist got their focus back to win 48-7 over Otamatea; Mid Western snuck home 23-22 over the Western Sharks in their local derby.

In the premier reserves, Wellsford 34 beat Hora Hora 14; Kamo accounted for Waipu 63-0; Old Boys' Marist came through 22-0; the Western Sharks got one over Mid Western 24-10; Mid Northern won 30-21 over Hikurangi.