By Stu Piddington

High flying Mackenzie showed plenty of spirit and a touch more flair to beat a tenacious Geraldine outfit 27-16 under lights at Alpine Energy Stadium.

Played early to allow the country boys the opening of duck shooting off on Saturday, Mackenzie fired more shots when it mattered.

Even with the Rams down to 13-men at one stage late in the second half Geraldine could not muster a much need try to grab the lead.

Geraldine did however start the game stronger and were up 13-0 midway through the first half courtesy of two Rory Vowles penalties and try to hooker Marac Beckham.

Mackenzie scored next thanks to a bit of luck when halfback Sami Puafisi charged down a clearance kick and centre Setafano Sauqaqa pounced on the loose ball.

Jared Trevathan's sideline conversion had the Rams back in it and then Sauqaqa showed his stepping ability and speed to score from 40m out to close the gap to 13-12.

The Rams then took the lead just before the break when replacement full George Williams went in after a great run from Sauqaqa.

Vowles had the last say however with a penalty on halftime to close the gap to 17-16 after an entertaining first half.

The second half turned into more of a arm wrestle between the packs.

Vowles missed a chance to take the lead when his penalty was astray and the diminutive first five then had had his head stomped on by Mackenzie openside Dewi Jones.

Referee Lachie McLeod had no hesitation in pulling out the red card after taking advice from his assistant.

Vowles however missed the ensuing penalty and was replaced shortly after with a leg injury.

Trevathan then edged the Rams further ahead 20-16 before Geraldine missed their third penalty of the half, when Reuben Fisher's attempt fell short.

Mackenzie were in trouble again in the 65th minute when blind side Ata Ata Langlangi was sinbinned for a no arms tackle leaving the Rams with only 13 players.

Geraldine however appeared to panic and then kicked too much ball away despite their superior numbers.   

Mackenzie captain and prop Aaron McCall sealed the win with a great try.

McCall ran on to a perfect pass from Trevathan that put him in the gap and he just kept going, to score adjacent the posts, to grab the four try bonus point, which could be crucial later in the season.

Geraldine then roared into life in the dying minutes searching to close the gap to seven with a try and gain a bonus point. They hammered the Mackenzie line and went close several times but eventually turned the ball over.

For Mackenzie their pack did the basics well with McCall leading from the front while their backline had a touch more class.

In the pack the veteran Gus Lang had a spring in his feet while Langilangi made a couple of good carries and bone crunching tackles. 

Centre Sauqaqa had a brilliant first half with some strong running, while Trevathan was key in the second, with some clever kicking keeping Geraldine pinned back.

Mackenzie wing Isofo Senibua, who had scored three tries in each of his opening threes games for Mackenzie, hardly saw the ball so had no chance of keeping up his average.

For Geraldine hooker Marac Beckham had a strong game, while locks Craig Moore and Peter Saywell toiled away.

Once Vowles left the field, the backline lost direction and didn't look likely to break open Mackenzie despite having the player advantage.  

The win puts Mackenzie on top of the table but Harlequins are likely to reclaim it after playing in Waimate on Saturday.

Celtic should also be too good for Pleasant Point while Old Boys are likely to struggle against Temuka's big pack despite home advantage at School Park.

Scorers: Mackenzie (Setafano Sauqaqa 2, George Williams, A McCall try, Jared Trevathan, 2con, pen) Geraldine 16 (Marac Beckham try, Rory Vowles 3 pen, con)