Rugby: Kumeu 'will steal trophy'

Beating Northcote 36-5 was the turning point Kumeu coach Phil Ridland needed to predict his side could steal the North Harbour club rugby championship from six-times consecutive winners Takapuna.

Too big and too strong up front, the Kumeu backs and forwards were dynamic, moving the ball from all corners of the field and scoring six tries to one.

Ridland was happy at last that the side was starting to hit its straps and confident the championship was up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Takapuna toiled long and hard to beat Glenfield 20-15 in a festival of penalties.

Walter Little at first five-eighths was the magician behind Glenfield's near upset.

Takapuna, too, had a wizard behind the pack - Jeremy Etheridge the fix-it man on defence, elusive on attack - whose second-half try was the pivotal score.

Marist pressured North Shore, scored three tries to two and won 28-24 to keep third place. But they never mastered a plucky North Shore enduring a lean patch.

Silverdale had a one-man-band in five-eighths Mike Wilson who scored the try, kicked the conversion and two penalties in a tedious 13-12 win over Helensville.

East Coast Bays showed their form of old in scoring six tries while beating Massey 41-21. Mahurangi made it two on the trot, downing Navy 40-18.