RUGBY LEAGUE
Takahiwai Warriors 34 Hokianga Pioneers 18 (24-12): An 18 point haul by Takahiwai's star player Kyle Hool saw his side through to the Rugby League Northland Premiership grand final at Toll Stadium this Sunday where they will meet defending champions, Hikurangi Stags.
Despite drawing first blood to lead 6-0, the Pioneers eventually had no answer to the Warriors in the first major semi final on the day's double bill card. A try to Hokianga's consistent Pouri Hohaia brought the score to 18-12 near the half time mark, while Jordan Otene scored a consolation try to give the final scoreline some respectability five minutes from time.
Pioneers' Rob Marsh sounded resigned on Monday morning, noting the boys had been a bit flat, perhaps they had played their final against the Knights the previous week.
"City took a lot out of us the week before. We took the lead but it was all Taka from there, just played a lot quicker, a lot faster."
Of the opportunity to play on the hallowed turf of Toll Stadium, Marsh said this was a great experience.
"It was great, awesome. Best field, awesome playing surface, huge crowd there."
He also singled out the Pioneers' most obvious standouts on the day, hooker Shannon Haare and Pouri Hohaia, "One of the smallest and one of the biggest!"
Hikurangi Stags 32 Moerewa Tigers 14: The other major semi final as the main event on Sunday was both a replay of last year's grand final and also this year's season opener. Unfortunately, the Tigers appeared unable to recover from having the previous two weeks off - a bye and then avoiding a minor semi final as the minor prems.
Certainly losing impact player Marshall Ruka to the sin bin five minutes into the game after the ref caught him kicking a player on the ground didn't help matters.
Ruka returned to the field and played a part in a try - the second of two by evergreen Tiger Tawio Davis - but dislocated his thumb in the process. Davis was joined on the scorecard by Teimi Ransfield and Jayden Bentley Hape nailing the conversion from the sideline.
The result will allow the Stags to target their third Northland title in three years.
Youth semi results
Despite the loss of the Tigers and the Pioneers, there will still be a strong Far North presence at the season finale in Whangarei this Sunday.
Both Muriwhenua teams successfully progressed with convincing wins at home in their two semi finals played at Waipapakauri on Sunday. Muriwhenua 13s beat Manaia View by 52-16 in the first game, while the 18s also convincingly beat Otaua 42-10 in the later match. Both games were reffed by Tane Kowhai.
Also from the Far North in action at Toll Stadium this Sunday is Otaua Valley - who beat Otaika Eagles on Sunday - to meet Hika Hora (who beat Tiki Stags) in the 15s grand final.
The draw for the Northland rugby league's four grand finals at Toll Stadium is, 13s: Muriwhenua v Hika Hora/ Moerewa Tigers at 10.30am (at nearby Old Boys), 15s: Hika Hora vs Otaua Valley at noon, 18s: Muriwhenua vs Marist Brothers at 1.30pm, and Prems: Hikurangi vs Takahiwai at 3.30pm.