Win over sharks leaves Mid Western looking good

Mid Western is the bolter in this season's Joe Morgan rugby competition, cementing their hold on second placing with only two games to go in the first round.
If their improving form and good luck holds - they were fortunate to beat the Western Sharks by a 21-6 margin on Saturday - they have a strong chance of being in contention at the business end of the season.
That is impressive for a young team that has only four players left from last year and is led by new halfback Adam Clarke, who is making a comeback after breaking his neck with the Western Force .
Along with the new players, which include captain fantastic Clarke and second-five supremo Lachie Munro, who signed with Northland NPC, Mid Western has a new coach, Kevin Lewis, who is instilling a new winning attitude. Lewis, who coached Waipu to the premier club rugby finals in 2006-07 and has been a professional coach in Holland, was giving little away when interviewed at Maungakaramea after Saturday's game.
Yes, there was a lot of talent in the Mid Western team. They were growing in stature with every game, he said staunchly. He had no time for negativity when the interview turned to the Sharks appearing to get the better of the forwards' encounter. "We took it to them and they never crossed our line," he said firmly. And he was right.
The Sharks' six points came from penalties kicked by first-five Hughie Rawiri while Mid Western's 21 were from tries scored by winger Saxton Samuels and Munro, who also kicked a conversion and three penalties.
But the Sharks' front row - props Sam Biddles (ex-Blues and Waikato NPC) and Gary Whippy and hooker Craig Williamson - led a pack that won the scrums and most of the grinding play in wet and cold conditions. The Sharks backs were good, too, their handling of the wet ball skilful as they probed for gaps. Ultimately, the weather, Lachie Munro's clever boot and Mid Western determination made the difference.
Several Sharks' efforts to reach their rivals' tryline ended with Mid Western winning scrambles for a very slippery ball - or Munro's kicks would ease the pressure on his team.
Both teams played well, never slackening in conditions that would have made referee Boris Jurlina thankful to blow the final whistle.
Meanwhile, niggle played a role when Hora Hora beat Waipu 26-3 at Hora Hora, the final 15 minutes marred by fights. "It was a bit of a shame," said Hora Hora halfback and co-coach Karl Milne.
Hora Hora's points came from tries by wing Joe Te Puni, lock Jason Parangi, hooker Alan Nesbitt and wing Jay Isameli. Milne kicked three conversions.
Wellsford continued its top-of-the-table form, beating Marist 18-7 in a game that had Marist coach Dan Goodwin talking about his team's need to improve attack and defence. Marist points came from a try by flanker Junior Endolo, converted by winger Tavita Jurgenson.
Wellsford coach Haydn Ferris said Marist had made a real game of it, particularly with Wellsford struggling with Rene Ranger away with the Blues, his brother JoJo out with an ankle injury and a host of other key players also crocked.
Second five-eighth Kieran Smith and centre Jovan Harris had stepped into the boots of injured backs with credit.
Wellsfords' points came from tries by first-five eighth Johnny Moimoi and halfback Ross Neal, with Moimoi also kicking two penalties and a conversion.
Hikurangi thrashed Old Boys 37-3 in conditions "so wet, ugly and miserable" that Hikurangi coach Stu Cook said he didn't write down the scorers. Prompted, he thought his team had scored 39 points, with centre Damian Fakafunua dotting down twice and other tries by wing Brendan Green and flanker Eric Abraham. Second five-eighth Henry Foy converted and kicked penalties, but Cook admitted he didn't have the full details.
Mid Northern beat Kamo 24-20 in a clash that could have gone Kamo's way after they scored two early tries.
The Kamo points came from tries by flanker Jarod McKenzie, fullback Hunia Kingi and flanker Roy Griffin, with a conversion by Kingi and a penalty by second-five Nick Collins.
Mid Northern gave a strong forward performance in the second half and finally triumphed with wing Jershon Witehira scoring two tries and first five-eighth David Holwell scoring a try and kicking three conversions and a penalty.
Premier reserves results: Wellsford 22, Marist 14; Old Boys 40, Hikurangi 6; Kamo 15, Mid Northern 0; Hora Hora 27, Waipu 0; Western Sharks 17, Mid Western 0.