Hibiscus Coast and defending champions Mt Albert remain the only unbeaten teams after three rounds, a good sign the competition has levelled out.
Mt Albert needed two late tries to get over a young and committed Leopards side 32-18 at Otahuhu today. Five of the home team were backing up after
playing a crucial Fox Memorial grade game against Richmond on Saturday. Only five of them were aged over 20.
Coach Trevor Mcleod wasn't too upset at the loss.
"The effort was good, we created plenty of scoring opportunities and it's just the finish that's missing," he said, hoping the addition of experience will close the gap.
Otahuhu led 14-8 at the break and were down 20-18 with five minutes to go, the Lions making two long-range breaks to secure late touchdowns so the scoreboard flattered them.
Hibiscus Coast endured a physical opening from the Eastern Tornadoes at Stanmore Bay on Saturday before running away to a 43-26, seven-tries-to-four victory.
Glenora, also short on experience with Ben Valeni and Walter Mackie out, lost by two points for the second time in two weeks, with Marist-Richmond 36-34 winners at home.
Glenora coach Dean Hunter was also pleased with effort and opportunities created but dismayed at the lack of finish.
"We have to learn how to win, it's psychological."
North Harbour beat Taranaki 44-22, and will likely have Mark Robinson at hooker when they play the Raiders next weekend. Warriors prop Richard Villasanti suffered a knee tear during Canterbury's 42-10 win over Wellington in the curtainraiser to the Bulldogs game on Friday night and will see doctors today to learn how bad it is.
