Northland league: Only four games were played in round 12, which was just over the halfway mark, of the Whangarei City and Districts Senior Rugby League competition on Saturday. Results were as follows.
Hokianga Pioneers 40 Hora Hora Broncos 16: The Pioneers made it look surprisingly difficult to crack a visiting Broncos with only 11 as a chilly southerly knifed up over the hill at Okaihau under a white wintery sky on Saturday.
Rather than talk about his side's effort, Pioneers coach Phil Marsh instead chose to give "full kudos" to Hora Hora for their huge display of heart and sportsmanship: turning up with only 11 which meant the team's manager and strapper had to run on as well.
"They could have rung and said, 'we are defaulting'." Marsh said the weak turnout by the opposition allowed him to experiment and rest some players but he was left feeling "pretty despondent" about the lack of sizzle shown in the freezing conditions.
Now the focus was on maintaining momentum with a difficult away game against the Muriwhenua Falcons this Saturday.
"Trying to make sure we have got a good side to play up there [Kaitaia] this week."
Bay Slayers 40 Muriwhenua Falcons 28: The Falcons have taken a number of impressive scalps this season and had every reason to feel that another was up for grabs at Bledisloe Domain.
But sooner or later, the Slayers' remarkable disposition for inconsistency was bound to turn and did so on Saturday. Having posted disappointing form considering they were grand finalists last year, the homeside set about ensuring the competition's upstarts left town empty-handed.
Proud manager Justin Webster didn't want to single anyone out from an "Awesome team effort", noting the result was vindication of sorts.
"They [Slayers] were up for it. We've got a lot of boys turning up now. When we've got a full team, it shows we can definitely compete!"
Standouts were Boo Boo Clyde, Braden Burgess and A Doug.
Falcons management unavailable for comment.
City Knights 26 Kaikohe Lions 20 (ht 6-6): Lions coach Benson Selwyn was philosophical about returning from Otangarei with no points.
"Game was hard out, full contact rugby league. There was no-one outstanding, just full-on play by both sides. I'm happy at the end of the day. We fielded another full side again and played a good game of league."
Questioned about City's growing notoriety for bad behaviour, Selwyn was befuddled.
"What's the problem with everybody? I didn't see anything out of the ordinary."
Kaikohe tries by Stacey Nimmo 2, Jason Katana 2; Ashton Grey 2 conv.
Also, Wairoa 66 Marist 20; the other four teams got a welcome bye, a rest and a 'free' two points (a result of the accumulated vacuum created by the withdrawal of the Portland Panthers at the start of the season).
Estimated standings: Hikurangi 22*, Hokianga 18, Moerewa 17*, Takahiwahi 15*, City 15, Muriwhenua 14, Wairoa 14, Bay Slayers 12, Marist 10, HoraHora 9, Kaikohe 8, Otaua 4*.
*Indicates had a bye on Saturday.