Waikato wins out over determined North Harbour

BEN WATSON/North Shore Times

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Waikato had too much panache for North Harbour in a 36-27 national provincial rugby championhip bonus point win at Albany tonight.

The lead changed hands four times in the first half hour before Waikato grabbed an advantage they weren't to relinquish, going on to dominate most facets of the game and score four tries to three to reflect the competition standings of both teams.

Midfield backs Christian Leali'ifano and Save Tokula were standout figures for the winners, whose back division looked more threatening, helped by their pack consistently winning better quality ball than the hosts.

A try to standout lock Dominiko Waqaniburotu with 15 minutes on the clock sealed victory, capitalising on a slick counter sparked by ACT Brumbies second five-eighth Leali'ifano. The final pass was thrown by replacement back Richard Kahui, playing the last half hour in his first match since injuring his shoulder with the All Blacks two months ago.

Tokula set up two of Waikato's first-half tries with powerful busts, helping them to a 28-20 advantage at the break.

The first put halfback Brendon Leonard over while the second saw him break through a poor attempted tackle from rejected All Black Luke McAlister to send Leali'ifano over for his first try in Waikato colours.

Winger Dwayne Sweeney scored their other try while first five-eighth Trent Renata slotted 16 points with the boot.

North Harbour No 10 Mike Harris landed five-from-five with the boot but his side failed to score for the final 37 minutes, with their last points coming via a try to hooker James Parsons to reduce the margin to one point.

They scored impressive early tries through prop Ben Afeaki and winger Alipati Fatafehi but ran out of puff to suffer their fourth loss in six matches.

Following their thrashing of Counties Manukau last week, Waikato snare a fourth win and provide further evidence they will challenge strongly for this year's title.

- NZPA