Northland whip Waikato

Northland continued their fine start to the season with a 37-7 victory over Waikato at Toll Stadium in Whangarei on Saturday.

Northland have moved up to second place in the Championship on 11 points with two wins from three games while Waikato are fourth in the Premiership with two wins from five games and have 14 points.

Solomon Alamailo gave Northland an 11th-minute lead after good vision shown by fly-half Dan Hawkins to release him on a 30-metre run to the line.

Soon after, Ross Wright got the home side’s second when he bashed over after a series of powerful carries from the forwards.

Waikato lock James Tucker was then yellow carded for illegal clearing out at the ruck, Hawkins kicked the resulting penalty to make it 15-0.

Hawkins added another three before Jack Ram went over from a lineout drive to make it 25-0 after 58 minutes.

Jack Goodhue got the bonus-point try after great work from Rene Ranger. Waikato did manage a consolation try from Adam Burn with less than five minutes to play.

And Northland left wing Joni Macilai put the nail in the coffin after the hooter had sounded to give Northland a resounding victory.

The scorers:

For Northland:
Tries: Alamailo, Ram, Wright, Goodhue, Macilai
Cons: Hawkins 2, Blundell
Pens: Hawkins 2

For Waikato:
Try: Burn
Con: Lansdowne

Northland: 15 Solomon Alaimalo, 14 Jordan Hyland, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Jone Macilai, 10 Dan Hawkins, 9 Sam Nock, 8 Matt Matich, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Jack Ram, 5 Murray Douglas, 4 Tim Bond, 3 Ropate Rinakama, 2 Matt Moulds (c), 1 Ross Wright
Replacements: 16 Jordan Olsen, 17 Howard Sililoto, 18 Phil Kite, 19 Josh Larsen, 20 Jaycob Matiu, 21 Matty Markwick, 22 Tim Blundell, 23 Blake Hohaia

Waikato: 15 Zac Guildford, 14 Iliesa Ratuva Tavuyara, 13 Sevu Reece, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Tyler Campbell, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Pele Cowley, 8 Jordan Manihera, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 6 Luke Jacobson, 5 James Tucker, 4 Jacob Skeen, 3 Sefo Kautai, 2 Hame Faiva, 1 Loni Uhila
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukeiaho, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Duke Nginingini, 19 Leva Fifita, 20 Adam Burn, 21 Harrison Levien, 22 Matty Lansdown, 23 Bailyn Sullivan

Referee: Michael Lash