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May 25, 2013

North Harbour B 17 Counties Manukau B 13

The Harbour B side completed their pre-season warm-up programme with a close fought win over Counties Manukau B at Bruce Pullman Park in Papakura. The match was fiercely contested at the breakdown where Counties were extremely aggressive. After a period of settling into the game, Counties drew first blood to lead 3-0 through a penalty after 15 minutes. Harbour slowly clawed their way back into the match with a period of sustained pressure and continuity which created space on the blindside for stand-in skipper William Whetton to dot down in the corner. First-five Regan Oxenham slotted a fine conversion to give Harbour the lead 7-3 at halftime.

Harbour made changes across the park in the second half to combat Counties continued aggressive approach at the breakdown. Counties struck first in the second half through some swift footwork from their flying winger to lead 10-7 before replacement first-five Richard Lobb kicked a penalty to level the scores 10-10. Counties struck back immediately with another penalty to lead 13-10 however with 10 minutes to go Harbour rallied through a line break by William Murray on the right wing, which took play deep into the Counties 22. The Harbour forwards blew Counties off the ensuring ruck and the ball was shifted wide to the far sideline where Charlie Luteru finished off a magnificent sweeping 50 metre move by diving in to score in the corner. Lobb converted from the sideline and Harbour closed out the last five minutes to record an impressive and gutsy win 17-13.

Harbour take on the Auckland Juniors in the first match of their competition at Cornwall Park at 2.45pm on Saturday August 27 in pursuit of defending the title they won so impressively last season.

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