The Kia Toa Tigers produced a fine display of ball-handling skills in miserable conditions to beat the Harbour Seals 42-16 at the Kensington Oval on Saturday.
The Tigers showed good composure, completed their sets well and showed patience with the ball in hand.
They held a 22-6 lead at halftime with three tries from winger Miller White and one each from lock Shane Unahi and centre Cody Raymond.
White's tries all came from inside the Seals' half when the Tigers backs were able to spread the ball wide and he could get outside his man and run in to score.
The Seals produced an early second-half fightback with tries to halfback Albert Alapiti and hooker Hala Mafi before the Tigers defended staunchly on their own goal line.
They went on to score 20 unanswered points with tries from prop Koben Katipa, second rower Ronnie Tuuarie, standoff Ryan Tapsell and halfback Joel Taniora.
Tapsell led his team around the park well, with some nice passing and good line breaks on the back of a strong all-round forward display.
Tigers prop Matt Toa made several bone-jarring tackles and was strong in the hit-ups.
The Seals players found it hard to get any rhythm and although Mafi, Alapiti and standoff Johnny Liana tried hard, the Tigers' defence gave them very little space.
The South Pacific Raiders remain undefeated and set up a juicy clash with the Tigers next week after they beat University 46-16.
The Raiders look strong in all positions and their defence has improved markedly from last week.
Raiders coach Dave Reedy emphasised this after the game.
"We are travelling well and have lots of improvements left. The first few rounds were about combinations and with these ones, there is more an emphasis on defence."
The Raiders held a 40-4 lead at the break with three tries to standoff Tamiti Davis, two to winger Thomas Tewhaiti-Henry and one each to hooker Simon Fuatavaii, lock Manassah Kutia and prop Shaun Tahau.
Although the second half was much tighter, with University outscoring the Raiders 12-6, the game was effectively over after the Raiders dismantled them in the first half.
For the Raiders, Davis and halfback James Stevenson Wright had fine games leading their team round the park, centres Kenneth Hemopo and Graeme Cashmore were dangerous on attack and prop Ben Dickson and second-rower Jermaine Stone stood out in a strong forward pack.
For University, prop Tom Bywater worked hard all game and was rewarded for his strong hit-ups with a try in the second half.
