Rugby League Acknowledged at Northland Awards

Takahiwai bounced back from last week’s abandoned game, to thump a below-par Horahora Broncos 98 – 0.  Takahiwai, who are still waiting to work out the result from last week, were ruthless in their defeat of the Broncos.  The Broncos were without some key players (Des Reynolds and Kurtis Tito) left their coach speechless, “I can’t really explain what happened out there, sure it wasn’t our A team out there, but we came prepared to play.” Sean Tito said.

The result, puts Takahiwai on 12 Points, who are now top of the table by points difference with Hokianga.  Takahiwai are still waiting for the result from last week’s game as they work out the possibility of a replay with the Kerikeri Mako’s.  As the RLN Premiership is new in its format and had no previous precedent regarding abandoned fixtures the matter was taken to the RLN Judicial panel who came out with the following rulings.

“In the event of an abandoned game the options are as follows – with both teams needing to agree on either Option One or Two, if they can’t agree then the Third Option will immediately take precedent.

• First Option – Score stands as it was at time that the game was called off.
• Second Option – replay the game – arrangements to be made between the two teams – to be played within 14 days.
• Third Option – points shared between the two clubs – 1 point each.  Please note the for and against points will stand.”

Hokianga sit in second, with another strong performance, defeating the Kerikeri Mako’s 44 – 20.  The Otangarei Knights, won their fifth game in a row, over the Muriwhenua Kuaka’s 60 – 8 and now sit in third place above the Hikurangi Stags on points difference.  With both the Stags and the Moerewa Tigers having the week off after playing their Round 7 match as part of the season opening double header (all the other teams started a week later).

Portland sit in 5^th place after their thrilling 38 – 34 win over the Northern Wairoa Bulls.  Locked at 16 a piece at half time, the game dubbed as the “Match of the round,” lived up to expectations with a seesawing game that was never in the bag until the referees final whistle was blown.