Harbour win back the ‘Bandy’

Zingari-Richmond 12

Harbour claimed the Scoles Memorial when they comfortably beat Zingari-Richmond at Watson Park on Saturday.

The trophy was first played for in 1955 between Zingari and Port Chalmers, who merged with Ravensbourne in 1992 to form Harbour.

The annual W.J. Scoles Memorial remains a game of special significance to both clubs.

Zingari won the prized "Bandy" for the first time since 2008 last season, but their defence quickly started to labour on Saturday.

Harbour took advantage of the breeze and plugged the corners.

Some stern defence from the Zingari tight five shut down the big and mobile Harbour pack and their deadly inside back combination of Nathan Hastie and Rique Miln.

But Harbour No 8 Taylor Dale exposed early cracks in the Zingari defence with a try after 10 minutes.

The Colours were quick to bounce back with breakout tries to two Highlanders, first five Ajay Faleafaga and centre Jonah Lowe.

But poor discipline and handling errors let them down, and they succumbed to pressure from the big boys up front for Harbour.

The Hawks’ electrifying backs were ably directed by first five Miln.

This led to three tries late in the half, handing the home side a 26-12 lead at the break.

Harbour's rock-solid defence and pressure from their pack brought about mistakes from Zingari and kept the visitors locked out of the game.

It was an impressive display from Harbour, who appear to pose threats throughout, ably guided by the Miln brothers — Carlos at blindside flank and Rique at first five.

Winger Wiremu Brailey was impressive in defence and on attack.

— Wayne Parsons

Taieri 29

University 28

Taieri replacement back Jak Morton scored late to help the Eels edge University in a topsy-turvy game at Logan Park on Saturday.

The visitors looked in complete control at halftime.

Taieri led 17-8. They were more organised on defence, their execution on attack was superior, and they were winning the key moments.

A couple of plays stood out. They reeled off a 50-22, and moments later lock Eric Peita crashed over to give them a 7-5 lead.

They were also able to snuff out a 5m lineout drive.

Highlanders loosie Michael Loft scored to give Taieri a 17-5 lead, but University replied with a penalty to cut the gap to nine at halftime.

The students produced some mighty defence early in the second spell to stop falling further behind.

Then the breeze picked up and they came roaring back.

Tries to winger Aaron McMurray and midfielder Mac Harris, and some excellent goal-kicking from Highlanders first five Taine Robinson, saw them open up a 28-17 lead.

Loft finished off a nice team try out wide for Taieri to set up a tense finish. The visitors then broke down the left and Morton stayed in support to score the winner.

Whaanga brothers Josh and Matt were formidable in the midfield for Taieri, and halfback Trey Russell proved an excellent link man.

University hooker Ricky Jackson shone with some strong carries and ferocious tackles, and lock Mitchell Tinnock hit the rucks hard.

— Adrian Seconi

Green Island 59

Alhambra-Union 20

It was the Michael Manson show at the North Ground.

The Highlanders winger scored four tries in the opening half to help Green Island remain undefeated and register a comfortable win over Alhambra-Union.

Manson used his trademark speed and that little swerve he has to fool the defence long enough to get the jump on them — not that he needs a head start.

The Grizzlies powered to a 33-13 lead at halftime.

Classy openside flanker Amos Roddick scored two tries in the game and enhanced his reputation with another fine outing.

Green Island attracted two yellow cards in the game. Captain Heath MacEwan got a trip to the bin and halfback Dan Smart spent some time chilling on the sideline as well after he was ordered off for 10 minutes for deliberately slapping down a pass.

AU may well have scored had he not infringed.

The Broncos opened the scoring. They moved the ball through the backline and centre Charles Alston cut through a gap and scored.

But all was all Manson for the next 35 minutes.

Jake Te Hiwi was a handful in the midfield for Green Island and Roddick was everywhere.

Props Petelo Amato and Ben Latu and lock Sam Gander played well for AU in a losing effort.

— Adrian Seconi

Kaikorai 27

Dunedin 24

Dunedin started well at Bishopscourt and scored two tries inside the first 15 minutes to midfielder Gene Te Amo and fullback Josh Augustine. The Dunedin scrum was taking control and Kaikorai were leaking penalties.

Kaikorai then scored against the run of play when Dunedin carelessly turned over possession, and flanker Josh Casey pounced from 30m out and strolled through some ineffectual tackling.

Dunedin resumed control, took a quick tap from a penalty, and prop Hunter Fahey went over for a 19-7 halftime lead.

That was to be as good as it got for the Sharks as Kaikorai, with a team of young tyros, took control to embarrass last year’s finalists, who did not cherish possession and tried million-dollar offloads.

Kaikorai halfback Taine Hand kicked a couple of penalties to cut the lead to six points.

Dunedin finally held on to the ball to put winger Joe Parkinson over to increase the lead, but Kaikorai were not to be denied. They scored two tries in the final 10 minutes, the first to winger Rota Lafita before Casey deservedly got his double to seal victory.

Casey, who has bulked up over the summer, was a powerful leader for Kaikorai, while Hand had a 100% success rate from the tee to effectively win the game as Dunedin out-scored his team four tries to three.

It was hard to find stand-outs for the Sharks after an inglorious start to the season, but lock Reuben Palmer threw his big frame around with abandon for the full 80 minutes.

— Paul Dwyer