We'll take it! Game one of the 2018 Mitre 10 Cup done and dusted and the 4 points are in the bank.
Its fair to say that there are a few things we would like to have done better but that's pretty standard for the start of any season, and especially seeing as the entire squad have been together for less than a fortnight.
First blood went to the visitors as Jack Debreczeni and Rene Ranger comnbined to break the Harbour line, and lock Tom Robinson was in support to collect the offload and dot down by the posts which Debreczeni culy converted.
Dillon Hunt was impressive and scored in his first outing in the Hibiscus, collecting a crisp Bryn Hall pass to score in the right wing corner off the back of a Gerard Cowley-Tuioti charge, made possible by a ripper Glenn Preston chargedown.
Bryn Gatland took a knock and left the field and Shaun Stevenson assumed the pivot role, and hit the blindside at pace off a ruck to put Tevita Li in in the left wing corner. Bryn Hall took on the goal-kicking duties and landed an outstanding conversion from the left wing sideline..
A Jono Kitto try and another Debreczeni penalty had the guests up 20-18 with 5 to go, until Bryn Gatland landed a penalty from 45m to take the lead and the game 21-20.
Next game is away to Waikato next Saturday, and the next home game will be versus Tasman at QBE Stadium on September 1st.
Scorers:
North Harbour 21 (Dillon Hunt, Tevita Li tries; Bryn Gatland 3 pen; Bryn Hall con)
BEAT
Northland 20 (Tom Robinson, Jono Kitto tries; Jack Debreczeni 2 con, 2 pen). HT: 11-7
