Tries: J Afoa
Cons: M Delany

Over the last few weeks, the reporters of harbourrugby.com have been criticised as being a little small-minded and unduly harsh on the side we are supposed to support unreservedly in this year's Air NZ Cup.

While we at times find ourselves raking a fair bit of muck in the direction of Pollock and Pisi the Elder, we believe we have earned the right to assassinate these characters in the interest of rugby in our region. The job of a paid journalist is to deliver a balanced and educated view on an event or sporting fixture. The job of us mere mortals in the current information technology environment is to say pretty much what we please.

We are by no means immune to stinging attacks on our literary masterpiece we call harbourrugby.com. This week I will endeavour to produce a piece worthy of a local newspaper and in the process shows you how boring this can be as compared to the gems penned in the last two rounds.

The Game.

The North Harbour Rugby Football Union, which was formed in 1985, notched up their third win in as many games against a mildly indifferent side from the Bay of Plenty.

A dominant second half display saw them take this latest fixture 25 - 7 at a rather dull stadium in Mt Maunganui.

On the face of it both sides fielded comparable forward packs but the North Harbour backline was expected to give them the edge going into this game. The classy Harbour backs were given little room to operate in the first spell, with the hilariously named 'Steamers', giving a stern test to the boys from the city.

Luke McAlister opened the account for the visitors in the fourth minute with a well-struck penalty.

After a largely indifferent first 40 minutes, Harbour sprung into action and set about changing the face of the game and the scoreboard.

McAlister once again showed his class with the boot, landing a penalty early on the second stanza. After some encouraging set phases, George Pisi and the Fijian, Waqaseduadua rewarded this enterprising spate of action with two smart tries.

At 18-0 the points looked to be in the bag for Harbour but a try to James Afoa put paid to any chance this was to be an easy victory.

Cheeky, hairy hooker, Roger Dustow crashed over on the blind for his first try of the season and the game finished at 25-7 as previously explained.

While Harbour will be somewhat disappointed at not cashing in with a bonus point, they have achieved an excellent start to the season and 3 from 3 isn't bad.