North Harbour Representative Round-Up for 22 September

The Harbour Hibiscus Women travelled to Hawkes Bay for their double header with the Mitre 10 Cup boys against the Tui’s but were overwhelmed 52-10.  After last weeks big win they came up against a committed side on their home patch and couldn’t get traction.  The Mens B/2^nd XV hosted visitors Taranaki at Windsor park and were edged 42-46 after a good 26-15 lead at half-time.  Tries went to Brad Leilua (2), Ethan Roots, Nathan Vaatausili (2) and Gannon Moore with Jack Bergin kicking a penalty and 2 conversions.  They now sit in 3^rd place and need a win against bottom placed Northland to get past Counties for second place. 

Under 85’s flew the Harbour flag and put away the open weight King Country Development side 23-15 also at East Coast Bays in their last game of the season and achieved their second win to finish 3^rd in the Northern Region U85/Heartland Development Grade.   Up against a big pack well versed in the rolling maul and pick and goes, Harbour U85 moved them around the park.  Down 6-10 at half-time the U85 launched the comeback and Adam Southworth scorched past two tacklers at high speed with first-five Cam Dalzell kicking the extras. Southworth set up another try for Josh Higgie which Dalzell converted and then he nailed a 48 metre penalty to secure the win. Player of the day went to Josh Higgie.

U18 Girls travelled to Pakuranga United RFC for the game against Auckland East and went down 5-55 in a one-sided game.

The U14 and U16 played their cross-over finals at Auckland Marist RFC to complete their campaigns for 2018. Under 14 Cardinal defeated Northland South for 5^th place and U14 White lost narrowly 30-35 to  Northland North for 8^th place.  The U14 White did not have a good first half, being down 5-35, but came back in the second half with a gutsy performance and kept Northland scoreless, while scoring 5 more tries of their own.  Tries went to  Xieden Urlich, Chris Finau, Tyler Whinney,  Cody Beale, Dylan Blomquist  and Dillon Barrington.    U14 Cardinal were down at 12-26 at half-time and clawed their way back into the game for a narrow win.  Tries went to Hunter Rice, plus 2 conversions, Paula Veilofia (2),         Hunter Look (2) and James Fairbairn.    U16 Cardinal beat Northland South 21-5 for 5^th place and U16 White won 38-26 over Northland North for 7^th place. The U16 White game was in the balance late in the second half until  Chlayton Frans crossed for his third try.  Points were tries to Chlayton Frans (3), Bryn Moloney (1), Jake Martin (1), Sean Corrigan (1), Conversions were kicked by Ollie Parsons (2), Clayton Kotze (2).  

The Maori Under 17 held a pre-season game at Northcote against Auckland and picked up a big win to get their season preparation well underway.

Roller Mills held a pre-season game at Northcote against Counties which provided good preparation for their 6-13 October tournament in the Waikato at St Peters College, Cambridge.

The matches for Saturday 29 September have the Mens B/2^nd XV travelling to Hikurangi RFC, just north of Whangarei to play the Taniwha’s B side in their last fixture for 2018.  The Harbour Hibiscus Women host Wellington at 12pm at Windsor park, East Coast bays RFC.   The U18 Girls travel to Waitemata for their cross-over finals with the Chiefs division in the Northern Region competition to play Counties Manukau at 12pm for 7^th/8^th place.

The Northern Region Maori tournament commences Saturday 29 September with games at Tikipunga RFC in Northland and Karaka RFC in Counties.   The second round of games is at Waitemata RFC in Auckland on 6 October and the finals is in Rotorua on 13 October.