Hamilton Marist 31 - Otorohanga 8
In a game that was more even than the score line suggests, Hamilton Marist showed their class to grind out their ninth win of the season at Marist Park and stay undefeated after eleven rounds.
Both teams were on the scoreboard early as Marist
first five Wharenui Hawera and Otorohanga centre James Hemara traded penalty kicks in an intense and even opening quarter.
Otorohanga began to gain territorial dominance but against the run of play midway through the first half it was Marist who got the opening try when flanker Josaan Levien broke away from a maul to score.
Good defence from Marist continued to keep Otorohanga at bay, and the hosts themselves started to get their hands on the ball more, and another Hawera penalty was quickly followed by their second try to wing Niko Malo.
Otorohanga, after another long period on attack, finally cracked the home defence when flanker Sean Wanden crossed to close the gap to 12 points at halftime.
A scrappy start to the second half from both teams seemed to suit Marist better as they were able to keep the game tight and not give Otorohanga's pace out wide a chance.
Their patience led to Levien's second try with 20 minutes remaining, and two more Hawera penalties, as the lead blew out to 23 points.
Both teams threw the ball around in the final quarter as Otorohanga looked to narrow the gap and Marist tried to add a bonus point, which made for some great running rugby, but the result by then was never in doubt.
Levien was the standout for Marist and young Hawera showed his growing maturity at this level, while prop Ted Tauroa had a strong game for the visitors.
Match photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/waikatorugby/
Hamilton Old Boys 43 - University 19
Hamilton Old Boys held their spot in third place after a solid victory over University at the Waikato University fields.
The visitors took control in the second half of the match and ran in a total of six tries with centre Chris Croasdale getting a double.
Trent Renata was again influential for University, scoring a try and setting up another, but in the end the students' defence couldn't hold out the red and blacks.
Fraser Tech 34 - Te Awamutu Sports 12
After leading by just five points at halftime Fraser Tech were able to pull away for their seventh straight win in their match against Te Awamutu Sports at Albert Park.
Tech managed to secure a four try bonus point in the second half as they wore down the home team, outscoring them five tries to two with centre Jimmy Horsford crossing twice.
Captain and No 8 Jono Armstrong was again a standout for Te Awamutu, scoring one of his sides tries.
Morrinsville Sports 23 - Melville 13
The return of Chiefs' Alex Bradley and Brendon Leonard was a big boost for Morrinsville Sports and helped them on their way to a win over Melville at Collins Road.
Bradley scored one of the visitors' two tries, with centre Bryce Cowley getting the other and also adding two conversions and two penalties.
Melville, who trailed by just two points at halftime, were led by another strong performance from try-scoring No 8 Jake Ale.
Hautapu 49 - Hinuera 12
Bottom of the table Hinuera put in a credibly performance against fourth-placed Hautapu at Wealleans Park.
First five Benji Olesen scored both tries for the home team in what was quality performance in a losing side from the pivot.
Chiefs' flanker Scott Waldrom was the star for Hautapu, scoring a hat-trick of tries, while first five Josh Blue converted all seven of the visitors' tries.
