Canterbury produced a stunning second-half display against North Harbour to retain the Ranfurly Shield and maintain their position at the top of the Mitre 10 Premiership table.
Mitre 10 Cup: Canterbury cruise past North Harbour
Four second-half tries ensured another Mitre 10 Cup victory for Premiership leaders Canterbury over North Harbour.
The league leaders ran in four tries after the break on Friday to complete a 47-18 triumph, giving them an eighth win in nine matches this season.
North Harbour belied their Championship status in the opening half of the cross-divisional encounter, going in level 15-15 at the break.
However, they could not hold Canterbury back after the restart as the hosts cruised to a bonus-point victory.
Tom Sanders and George Bridge exchanged tries with Matt Vaega and Sione Mafileo in a close opening, while Jordie Barrett and Bryn Gatland both kicked five points apiece to leave the sides evenly matched at half time.
A second penalty from Gatland briefly gave North Harbour a three-point advantage, but that was the end of their scoring as Canterbury's superior fitness and strength showed.
The boot of Barrett restored parity before putting the hosts ahead, and then a flurry of tries saw Canterbury pull clear.
Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo'unga, Nathan Vella and Jack Stratton all touched down to complete what turned out to be a comprehensive win, securing the Ranfurly Shield once again for Canterbury.
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