North Harbour
Takapuna 53 Marist 8
Glenfield 50 North Shore 7
Western Pioneers 47 Northcote 17
East Coast Bays 32 Silverdale 15
Massey beat Mahurangi by default
Glenfield sounded a loud warning to the North Harbour premier competition that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2015 after a dynamic display of running rugby to the tune of 50-7 against the defending champions North Shore at Vauxhall Road.
In doing so, Walter Little's men usurped the Les Pearce Memorial Shield, which had been in Shore's possession since last season. Glenfield have never won the North Harbour championship, but did contest the 2006 final.
If there were any sceptics over Glenfield's credentials to date because they had not played the 'big guns' then they were silenced from the get-go.
East Coast Bays remain ensconced in the top six with a 4-2 record after a strong second spell saw them head Silverdale 32-15. Among the five tryscorers was Manawatu Turbos and Blues halfback Jamie Booth.Glenfield showed their intent, with their forwards dominating the breakdown and their slick backs putting the Shore defence to the sword. The 19-0 halftime scoreline may surprised many spectators, but not the Glenfield faithful who knew their team had much more to give, putting on another 31 unanswered points in the second stanza before Shore finally scored a late consolation try. Players one through to 15 were impressive for Glenfield, with Michael Little showing his class at centre and the whole pack in powerful form.
Takapuna moved ahead of North Shore into the top four on points differential after dispatching Marist 53-8. One of three players who registered tryscoring doubles was North Harbour flanker Jordan Manihera.
Former Thames Valley, Counties Manukau and Waikato halfback David Bason scored a brace as Western Pioneers held second place with a 47-17 win over Northcote. Matt McGahan scored 17 points, including a try.
Massey remained unbeaten and at the top of the table courtesy of a late Mahurangi default, their second of the season.
Massey host North Shore, and Glenfield face Takapuna, in the big clashes next weekend.
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