By PETER JESSUP
New Warrior Iafeta Paleaaesina scored twice for Hibiscus Coast as the Raiders extended their Bartercard Cup lead with a 48-8 thumping of Otahuhu.
Late turnarounds were the other feature of the weekend round.
At Glen Eden, the Bears led all the way, got too comfortable and allowed their nemesis,
Northcote, a late rally for a converted try to level.
Glenora worked their next set with precision to set up the field goal, but Steve Buckingham's kick shaved off to the right.
Northcote, heavy with former Glenora players taken over the bridge when coach Del Hughes could not reach agreement with the club, did the same, but Jared Trott was on target for a 23-22 result. His personal total of 15 points included two tries and three goals.
The game opened with the expected fire and Glenora conceded consecutive penalties. But a quality game ensued when the niggle settled. Glenora were 20-12 up at the break, but Northcote's fightback was determined.
The Bears were denied a try to David Bailey, who was ruled held up when he wasn't, but he scored in the next set. But Glenora shut up shop too early. Shontayne Hape had a solid game and scored an easy try from a Gavin Bailey pass.
At Mt Albert, the home team hooked a late and unlikely win when Manurewa conceded a penalty to allow them in 14-13. The Marlins scored three tries to two, but former Warrior fullback Carl Doherty converted both for the Lions and landed the winner.
The results give the Raiders a three-point lead at the top of the competition. Northcote have drawn level with the Marlins, Otahuhu and the early leaders Eastern Tornadoes.
The Tornadoes were beaten 24-28 by Wainuiomata in a game that went end-for-end, with five tries apiece. Wainuiomata's Yogi Rogers was the difference, kicking four goals to Joe Flavell's two.
Canterbury thumped Ngongotaha 42-8, nine tries to two. Fitness told after the Bulls were 16-4 up at the break.
