Harbour: 31 Alhambra-Union: 13
Alhambra-Union retained a slim chance of slipping into the playoffs but its prospects got lost in the mud at Watson Park. Harbour second five-eighth Jerome Harimate helped bury its hopes with a three-try haul in the 31-13 win.
The elusive midfield back scored in the opening minute when first five-eighth Logan Allen cantered through a gaping hole and flicked the ball inside to Harimate.
His second try came after a long build-up. The Hawks forwards battered the Alhambra defence into submission and he was able to slip over in the left corner.
The hat-trick came in the dying moments of the match when he danced his way to the tryline following a set piece.
Aside from the opening 10 minutes, Alhambra was competitive. It rallied through a nice try to winger Adam Simpson and trailed 17-10 at the break.
Zach Porter drilled a penalty to close the gap further but the turning point came when halfback Vinnie Isherwood stepped his marker at the ruck and ran 20m to score.
Hawks blindside flanker Ben Whale carried the ball well, hit the rucks hard and was solid in the lineout. Lock Sione Misioli and hooker Sekonaia Pole did not shirk any work, either.
Allen made some nice clearances while fullback Sala Halaleva proved a safe pair of hands in trying conditions. Hooker Tom Frood had a strong game for Alhambra. Openside Jacob Coghlan covered a lot of territory and Simpson was dangerous whenever the ball reached the left winger.
Read the full ODT writeup here.