League: Pacific, Pikiao in major semi

Ngongotaha's Luke Taylor (left) offloads in a tackle during a loss against Pacific on Saturday. Photo/Stephen Parker

Pacific and Pikiao will finish the regular season atop the ladder - booking their place in the major semifinal of the Bay of Plenty District premier competition.

The top four sides in the premier competition did battle at Puketawhero Park on Saturday with Pacific beating Ngongotaha 36-16 and Pikiao defeating Taupo 42-28.

The minor premiership race was tight going into the weekend, but Pacific secured first place and Pikiao second on the ladder.

"I'm more relieved than anything," Pacific (Tokoroa) coach Paniora Daniels said.

"We got the home semifinal and we finished on top of the table, and that was our goal."

Pacific have the bye next weekend in the final round of the regular season which guarantees them the minor premiership.

Pikiao move two points clear of Ngongotaha into second spot and, barring a miracle next weekend, will play Pacific in the major semifinal in two weeks' time.

The winner of that game will get an automatic entry into the grand final on August 16.

Ngongotaha and Taupo look set to finish third and fourth respectively and will battle it out in the minor semifinal, with the loser eliminated.

When Pacific rolled up to Puketawhero Park on Saturday in a charter bus you knew they meant business.

They scored in the opening couple of minutes against Ngongotaha, whose mistake at the back allowed Aaron Dean to waltz over.

Ngongotaha fought back well though after the slow start and took the lead through impressive prop Harlem Leatigaga-Angell.

Pacific snuck two tries in before the half to take a 14-6 lead into the break.

After halftime, Pacific took control of the game. The big Ngongotaha pack got stretched by Pacific who scored three unanswered tries.

By that stage the game was won, but Ngongotaha brought some respectability back to the score with two late tries, losing the match 36-16.

Ngongotaha coach Dominic James said he was confident his team could bounce back much stronger in the playoffs.

"[Pacific] were the better team in the end. What let us down was our completion rate and not converting our chances," he said.

Mangakino and Forestland battled out a 30-30 draw in the other premier game at the weekend.

Ngongotaha 16 (Harlem Leatigaga-Angell, Josh Navitio, Esera Filipo tries; Scottie Thompson con, Josh Navitio con) Pacific 36 (Aaron Dean, Vinnie Morunga, Justus Riki-Hamana, Savea Daniel, Haukainga Tiatoa, Cleveland Poko, Delany Takiri tries; Ngari Hawkins 4 con). Pikiao 42 (Shayde Perham 2, Johnny Grace 2, Riki Collier, Rhys Hohepa, Thomas Matoe, Percy King tries; Rhys Hohepa 4 con, Te Kaiaotea Tahuriorangi con) Taupo 28 (Tony Petero 2, Tupara Tupara 2, John Love-Henry tries; John Koko 4 con).