By JOHN GASPARICH
The passion and pride of prop Paul Vegar, playing a record 250th game for the North Shore premiers, rubbed off on his team-mates in the clash with competition leaders Northcote, who were were unceremoniously knocked off their perch, 29-17.
After early-season setbacks, Shore needed the victory to remain in
the top six for the second round.
Vegar, 32, who last month beat the record 246 games played for Shore by former Harbour and All Black selector Peter Thorburn, led a comprehensive team effort.
Scoring five tries to two, Shore brought back memories of their championship win last year.
Takapuna were no less authoritative, trouncing East Coast Bays 43-8.
Playing into the wind in the first half, Takapuna controlled possession and a 9-8 lead at halftime was scant reward.
Downwind, Russell King, was precise in throwing ball to the lineouts and Matt Lord and Duncan Good feasted on controlled ball.
Behind the pack, Simon Marcroft, a youngster with a bright future, set up play like a veteran, Joe Faalogo probed the midfield gaps and the score soared.
Massey, the dark horses of the competition, won a tight encounter with Mahurangi, 24-15. Massey held the trumps in five-eighths Tusi Pisi, who chimed in with with a try, conversion and four penalties.
Pisi, a New Zealand under-21 trialist and Manu Samoa prospect for the series against Tonga and Fiji, would be a sad loss for Massey in the championship build-up.
Glenfield beat Helensville 18-10 in a patchy match spoiled by a swirling breeze.
Marist scored seven tries in beating Navy 43-0.
With three rounds remaining, Takapuna lead with 28 points, one ahead of Northcote, who have yet to have the bye. Then follow Massey (24), Silverdale (23), the Bays (22) and Shore (20).
Marist (18) and Glenfield (16) are still in contention for the top six.
