Harbour Rugby Club 24
Southern Rugby Club 17
Harbour pounced on some early mistakes to take an early 12-3 lead at Watson Park.
Southern had struggled to get its hands on the ball and when it did it failed to wrap them all the way around it.
A couple of fumbles proved very costly.
First five-eighth Josh Ioane got the dropsies first and the Hawks swung into action.
Classy winger Jerome Harimate popped up on the right flank, palmed off a defender and drew another to put Hale T-Pole into space.
He galloped 15 metres and passed to winger Sala Halaleva, who scored.
Southern fullback Jono Hayes coughed up the ball shortly after and Harbour went to work again.
After many phases, Charles Elton eventually crashed over.
The stunned visitors replied through Mika Mafi and Harbour nursed a 12-10 lead at the break.
But then two quick tries to the Hawks stretched the lead to 24-10. Sekonaia Pole scored the first from a lineout move, although the pass to him looked forward.
No problem with the second, though.
Naulia Dawai went on a rampaging 30m run and was then on hand to pluck a loose pass out of the air and score.
Southern managed a late consolation try to steal a bonus point.
Halaleva, Aleki Morris and James Tomkinson were all playing in their 50th game.
For a full match report click on the below link:-
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/rugby/382503/rugby-harbour-cements-lead-odd-day