Rugby: Hora Hora victory comes at a price

With seven wins on the trot, Hora Hora is only three games away from making the playoffs of the Bayleys Real Estate Premier Club competition.

Up next is a home encounter against Wellsford on Saturday who they lost to in the first round and Horahora coach Mark Wati admits the visitors won't be easy to beat.

His team beat Old Boys Marist 37-18 at Kensington on Saturday to climb up one spot to third on the points table.

The six tries to three win came at a cost after second-five Vili Tahitu'a hobbled off the field with ligament damage in his knee and is likely to miss the next match.

Mr Wati praised his backs, particularly centre Warren Dunn who scored a hat-trick and first-five Ume Fosito who booted three conversions and a penalty.

He said lock Aaron Stowers and wing Troy Woodman also had a strong game.

"We do the basics right. Our preparation hadn't been good after the field was closed on Thursday because of rain but we want to get the best of out preparation this week," he said.

Horahora has sets its sights on reaching the semifinals after narrowly missing out last year after losing to Wellsford.

Mr Wati said team spirit was high and except for Tahitu'a, all his boys would be fit and available for selection this weekend.

Old Boys Marist co-coach Paul Butturini lamented the ineffective tackling that allowed Horahora to score six tries.

He said the most disappointing aspect was that before last weekend, his team had the best defensive team in the competition.

"We got three tries but other aspects like finishing was not so good. The message at halftime was to get our defensive lines right and I thought we did reasonably well in the second half."

Dan Prior had a strong game at No8.

The team will play Otamatea next week.

Mid Northern tops the table, followed by Mid Western, and Hora Hora in third position.