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Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors grabbed bragging rights over foes Manurewa Kidd Contracting and moved to the top of the standings as Karaka had the bye.

Doug Sanft’s side started the match strongly and raced out to an early 8-0 lead before Manurewa fought back.

There was little between the two sides and the visitors were forced to defend a late attacking raid by Manurewa but were able to hold on for the win.

“We were lucky to win. Both teams were desperate. These are the top teams in the Union – it is a good thing that we are splitting the top five and bottom five,” Sanft said.

“We didn’t need any motivation – playing Manurewa is motivating.

“We had some good impact off the bench – Joe Casey – but it is the same guys – Alamanda [Motuga] and it is good having Ume [Fosita] there driving things.”

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel took a massive step towards securing a McNamara Cup semi-final berth as they beat neighbours Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega 30-3 at Patumahoe Domain on Saturday.

With first round points carrying over, fourth-placed Patumahoe extended their advantage over fifth-placed Pukekohe to 11 competition points with just 15 left available for either side.

Pukekohe will need to win their three remaining games and hope Patumahoe go win-less from this point on.

“We focused on trying to get a fast start, which we managed to do,” Patumahoe coach Reon Graham said.

“I was happy with the way we stuck to our plans throughout the game.

“Pukekohe are a young fit team with a very good defensive structure and we had to work hard for all our points.

“It was very pleasing to keep our try line intact, especially after long periods of defence.

“Dylan Watters had a strong game at centre and the 9-10 combination of Liam Daniela and Riley Hohepa kept us on the front foot all day with good running and kicking games.

“All 12 forwards, led by the Koro Joe Royal, put in big efforts to lay the foundations.”

Onewhero Summit Homes secured back-to-back wins for the first time this season as they defeated a spirited Weymouth outfit 38-8 at Onewhero Domain.

The home side didn’t have it all their own way as Weymouth scored early on and battled hard for the most part.

Some late points blew the score line out a little.

“It was a very important game,” Onewhero coach Paolo Bernardi said. “Rhain Strang started from the first minute after a long absence due to injury. It was his blazer game and everybody was very proud of his achievement.

“Weymouth came up the hill for business. They put us under pressure for the first 20 minutes and only thanks to mistakes were we able to score some good tries.

“The boys are building confidence, which will help for the next three games.”

Onewhero leapfrog Papakura into third on Plate standings with the top three progressing into the Plate semi-finals.

Bombay Super Freight found themselves back in the winner’s circle for the first time in a number of weeks but they had to rely on a second half comeback as they ran out comfortable 38-15 victors over Papakura Thirsty Liquor at Massey Park.

The home side impressed in the first 40 minutes and took a well-earned lead into halftime but Bombay showed the class that has seen them win five of the past six McNamara Cups to kick free in the second spell.

Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical claimed an important 19-15 win over Bombay Pokeno Bacon in Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserves action.

Bombay came into the round at the top of the standings and Patumahoe grabbed a win that could prove crucial in terms of who makes the semi-finals and who doesn’t.

The win lifts Andrew Chawner’s side into third on the competition ladder.

Karaka went top as they thumped Pukekohe 59-14 at Karaka Sports Complex while Ardmore Marist Barfoot & Thompson survived a late Manurewa Wise Property Management fightback to secure a narrow 26-24 win at Mountfort Park.

Just four points separates third-placed Patumahoe and fifth-placed Ardmore Marist with Manurewa halfway in between the two in fourth.

Ardmore Marist Women secured a superb 27-25 win over College Rifles in the Auckland Premier competition. The two sides went back and forth all game but the Counties Manukau club prevailed in the clutch in what was the only game this weekend to feature a women’s side from the region.

All other grades had the long weekend off.

Counties Power Club Rugby Results 5 June 2021:

McNamara Cup (Premiership):

Manurewa Kidd Contracting 15-19 Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors (Counties Power Game of the Week)

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 30-3 Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe

Karaka BYE

Premiership Plate:

Papakura Thirsty Liquor 15-38 Bombay Super Freight

Onewhero Summit Homes 38-8 Weymouth

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil BYE

Bob Chandler Cup (Premier Reserves:

Manurewa Wise Property Management 24-26 Ardmore Marist Barfoot & Thompson

Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical 19-15 Bombay Pokeno Bacon

Karaka 59-14 Pukekohe

Women’s:

College Riffles 25-27 Manurewa

Marist 17-19 Ardmore Marist

Papakura 51-7 Waitemata

Ardmore Marist 19-30 College Riffles

Counties Power Club Rugby Draws 12 June 2021:

McNamara Cup (Premiership):

Karaka Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe Manurewa Kidd Contracting

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors BYE

Premiership Plate:

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil Onewhero Summit Homes

Weymouth Papakura Thirsty Liquor

Bombay Super Freight BYE