Takapuna beat Northcote 41-10 to remain unbeaten at the end of the first round, and firm favourites to add yet another Harbour premiership to the trophy cabinet.
After taking a low-key early-season approach, Takapuna picked up just five bonus points in the 11 matches compared to the eight scored by Helensvilleand six by East Coast Bays, neither of whom made the top six.
Northcote, who did make the top-six round, were enterprising in the first spell with tries by Kent Bowater and Daniel Moore.
Down just 14-10 at halftime and with second use of the wind, Northcote sensed victory.
But when the chips were down, the Takapuna pack rallied around former All Black, 34-year-old Blair Larsen, back from Japan and gaining match fitness, and were rewarded with four second-half tries.
Massey beat Silverdale 25-10 to finish the Wayne Shelford Trophy round in second place.
Helensville, who had to beat Marist and pray Mahurangi beat North Shore to make the cut, fell at the first hurdle.
Downwind, Helensville applied the pressure, led 13-5 at the break, but in a see-saw second half, Marist edged home 23-18.
Shore, despite injuries that have plagued the side, made sure of top-six status by demolishing Mahurangi 79-7.
Tongan fullback Lingi Taukolo and Fijian wing Asiea Vuetibau were brilliant, scoring five of the side's 13 tries.
Bays, the disappointing team after scoring the second highest tally of points (382), beat Glenfield 59-7. But with five wins from 11 outings, they failed to make the cut.
Kumeu registered their second win of the season, beating Navy 34-15.
Takapuna (49 points), Massey (42), Marist (38), Silverdale (36), North Shore (34) and Northcote (32) start a fresh round robin this week to sort out semifinalists for the championship.
