League: Sharks top table after mauling Warriors

Ngongotaha Chiefs player Raymond Luke finds a gap against Taupo Phoenix at Puketawhero Park on Saturday. Picture / Ben Fraser

Tokoroa's Pacific Sharks cruised to a 72-4 victory at home over Pikiao Warriors on Saturday, maintaining their unbeaten record in this season's Bay of Plenty Coastline premier rugby league division.

A third straight win for the Sharks, this time over the division's defending champions, means they now occupy top spot on the table on points difference.

Otumoetai Eels' 34-16 win away at Mangakino Hawks leaves them level pegging with the Sharks on 6 league points, but lagging on points difference.

It was another good win for the newly promoted Otumoetai Eels, building on the two points picked up at home to Ngongotaha Chiefs last week.

In the division's other fixture, Taupo Phoenix came away with a 48-24 win against Ngongotaha at Puketawhero Park.

A repeat of last season's grand final between the Sharks and the Warriors might have been expected to be a close encounter but the scoresheet could not have been more one-sided.

The victory firmly establishes the Shark's credentials as front-runners for this season's premier division title, while Pikiao coach Thomas Wharerau must have been left scratching his head, wondering what went wrong.

Wharerau will be desperate to try and solve the mystery of his team's meltdown before next week's trip to Hickling Park to face Taupo Phoenix.

Sharks' coach Paniora Daniels was understandably pleased with his team's performance, and insisted it had still been a tough game despite the uneven scoreline.

"We just stuck to our structures and our systems," Daniel said. "This season our goal is to stick to the plan and and play individual football. We have matured last year in terms of discipline."

Asked whether Saturday's game had been something of a revenge match after last season's grand finals, Daniels was noncommittal.

"You can't read too much into it ... we couldn't wait to play them again, and last year obviously still hurts. But we get on well with Pikiao - off the field."

The coach was quick to reject suggestions that his team were already clear favourites for the title this season, and said it was still very early days.

"We're just taking it one step at a time."

Reserve grade

Pacific Sharks matched the success of their senior squad with a 82-10 victory against Pikiao Warriors in their reserve grade clash on Saturday.

It was a day of high-scoring reserve fixtures, as Central Lions (Rotorua) thumped Taupo Phoenix 98-6 and the Reporoa Razorbacks eased past Otumoetai Eels 60-8.

The results leave Pacific Sharks and Central Lions leading the table with 6 league points apiece. The Sharks occupy the top spot by a whisker, with a 6-point difference over the Lions.

In Division One, first-placed Tokoroa Forestland Falcon's continued their unbeaten march with a 32-18 win over Putauaki Stags.

-Results from Saturday (round three)

Premier Grade:

Pacific Sharks 72 - 4 Pikiao Warriors

Mangakino Hawks 16 - 34 Otumoetai Eels

Ngongotaha Chiefs 24 - 48 Taupo Phoenix

Reserve Grade:

Pacific Sharks 82 - 10 Pikiao Warriors

Reporoa Razorbacks 60 - 8 Otumoetai Eels

Central Lions 98 - 6 Taupo Phoenix

Division 1:

Forestland Falcons 32 - 18 Putauaki Stags

Putaruru Dragons 36 - 26 Papamoa Bulldogs

Tauhara Te Maunga 18 - 46 Whakatane/Taneatua Warriors