The Auckland men's team's wretched run in the NPC may be set to continue

The winless Gulls trail neighbours North Harbour 20-10 at halftime in the Battle of the Bridge at Eden Park.

The Wellington Lions were ahead 24-nil over the visiting Southland Stags in Porirua at halftime, also a short time ago.

The Counties Manukau Heat remain the team to beat in the women's Farah Palmer Cup Premiership.

They've downed the Auckland Storm 35-20 at Eden Park... it's Counties' fifth straight win.

Canterbury proved far too strong for Northland in Kaitaia... the red and blacks led 19-nil at halftime and right up until the 81st minute, when a final try made it 24-nil at Arnold Rae Park.

To the FPC Championship and the battle of the bottom at Trafalgar Park... where the visiting Taranaki Whio remain dead last after the Tasman Mako came from behind to take it out 39-36... their first victory of the season in five attempts.

Taranaki will be gutted... they led 19-5 at halftime.