Karaka have gone through the first round of the McNamara Cup unbeaten after beating Pukekohe 44-25 at Colin Lawrie Fields on Saturday.
Craig Hill’s side moved to the top of the table with the victory but had to work to break down the Pukekohe challenge.
“Very tight game, traded scoring the whole way through until the last 20 minutes,” Hill explained.
“We made a few individual errors in the first half which put us under pressure. We tidied that up a bit in the second half.
“Good to get the five points away from home.”
Ardmore Marist moved into a share of fourth place after securing an impressive 31-19 win over Bombay at Bruce Pulman Park.
“We got off to a strong start, but Bombay came back and took the lead,” Ardmore Marist coach Sulasi Taufalele said.
“I’m happy with how we managed to fight back and pull away and win and take the five points.”
The win sets up a terrific three-way battle for the final semi-final berth with Manurewa, Ardmore Marist and Bombay separated by just four competition points.
Karaka secured a 24-18 win over Pukekohe in the Bob Chandler Cup Premier 2 competition while Ardmore Marist triumphed over Bombay 38-31.
It means Karaka leads the competition from Pukekohe, Ardmore Marist and Bombay at the midpoint.
Te Kauwhata handed Weymouth their first loss in the Sid Marshall Shield on the back of a terrific 15-13 win on the road at Laurie Gibbons Reserve.
Maramarua edged Onewhero 20-19 in a thrilling contest at Maramarua, while Puni picked up a 29-17 victory over Te Kohanga at home.
Waiuku blanked Tuakau 33-0 and Drury completed a 46-19 win over Manurewa.
Weymouth tops the standings from Te Kauwhata and Puni with Drury and Onewhero sharing fourth place.
Waiuku pipped Manurewa 18-17 in Massey Cup U21 action. In other matches, Karaka beat Patumahoe 47-24 while Ardmore Marist claimed a 26-0 win over Pukekohe on the road.
Patumahoe secured a 33-28 win over Manurewa at Mountfort Park in the Bright Cup U19 grade.
Rua North took a 44-14 win over Waiuku while Ardmore Marist fell to College Rifles 57-5.
Bombay enjoyed a narrow 22-18 win over Drury in the U85kg competition.
Pukekohe thumped Hamilton Marist 47-17, Beachlands Maraetai edged Fraser Tech 20-15, while Patumahoe picked up a 30-20 win over the Cattle Dogs.
Karaka beat Waiuku 28.13.
