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Bombay bounced back from a tough loss a week earlier and produced a crucial 28-15 win over the previously unbeaten Manurewa Kidd Contracting to pick up the Counties Power Cup in the process.

They scored four tries to two to earn a vital bonus point and move to fourth on the competition ladder while Manurewa drop to third in a logjam in the top half.

“We are [really happy] coming off the back of last week’s loss to Ardmore we were definitely prepared a lot more this week and we put it down to a bit of  mental fortitude and resistance from our boys,” coach Paul Wheeler said.

“There was definitely a bit more of an edge to our mental attitude that translated into a bit more spark for us this week.

“We had a bit more energy about us this week.

“We scored early on and got a bit of an early lead. We figured if we could manage their big ball carriers it would help and that worked for us for parts of the game.

“It was an important game for us and I’m happy we picked up the win.”

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega gave their semi-final aspirations a massive shot in the arm as they edged Waiuku Brian James Contracting 22-20 in McNamara Cup action on Saturday.

Needing a win to snap a two-game losing streak and to keep their semi-final ambitions alive Sean Polwart’s side responded with a crucial victory at Rugby Park in Waiuku.

They took a narrow lead into halftime and managed to hold on in the second spell to grab the points.

PIC Steelers hopeful Jarrod Halliday scored a try and added a conversion and a penalty to help his side’s cause.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors moved to the top of the standings with their third successive win as they punished Papakura 94-7 in a one-sided romp at Massey Park.

Doug Sanft’s side shot out of the blocks and raced out to a 47-0 lead at the break before cruising home in the second spell.

In all they scored 14 tries with Savelio Ropati bagging a hat-trick to move within one try of top spot on the AS Wilcox Ltd season leader board.

While Sanft was happy with his side’s performance he was quick to feel for his counterpart and good friend Sione Sione.

Papakura started the season really competitively but have dropped form in recent weeks as injuries and a couple of player departures led to more departures as they became less competitive.

“I really feel for Sione,” Sanft said. “He is a really good coach and they had a good side there. It is really unfortunate they got some injuries to key players and had some guys leave. They were key players and it kind of snowballs and makes things seem worse than they are.

“I think they were on the cusp of having a team capable of fighting for titles there so I really feel for them.”

Karaka retained second place on the McNamara Cup standings as they thrashed Onewhero Summit Homes 60-19 at Karaka Sports Complex.

PIC Steelers signing Baden Kerr collected a personal haul of 25 points in the victory while Rodney Tongatea and Cardiff Vaega both had try-scoring doubles.

“Really happy – they can be tricky so to come away with that victory, we are very happy,” coach Craig Hill said.

“From the end of the first half – we scored three tries in 10 minutes – so that blew it out a little bit but it would have only been 10-7 so it was a pretty tight first half.

“We started getting on a bit of a roll after that.

“It was good.”

Bombay and Manurewa Wise Property Management played out a 12-all draw in the Counties Power Game of the Week in Bob Chandler Premier 2 action. Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical had a 78-0 win over Weymouth to move into third place in the standings. Ardmore Marist ensured they sit top of the table in both grades as they thumped Papakura 95-10.

Defending champions Maramarua picked up crucial 30-12 win over Tuakau in Sid Marshall Shield Premier 3 play. Patumahoe Village Bar & Kitchen moved into third place with a huge 39-14 victory over Drury while Te Kauwhata jumped ahead of Puni at the top of the standings with a 50-28 win over Ardmore Marist.

Patumahoe Albycon Ltd claimed a stunning 47-35 win over Manurewa in the battle of the only two unbeaten sides in Massey Cup U21 competition. Waiuku edged Pukekohe 29-25 while Karaka beat Bombay 47-12.

Pukekohe defended the U85kg Cup as they beat Onewhero Bottle’O Tuakau 12-0 to remain in a share of first place while Waiuku joined them with a comprehensive 95-3 hammering of Te Kauwhata. Karaka beat Beachlands Maraetai 35-12 and Papakura beat Bombay 39-7.

Manurewa had to work had to beat Ardmore Marist 39-28 in a terrific women’s semi-final while Papakura beat Grammar TEC 22-17 in their clash.

McNamara Cup (Premier 1)

Waiuku Brian James Contracting 20

(Ethan James, Apec Togafau tries; Daniel Kitson 2 cons; Daniel Kitson 2 pens)

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe 22

(Jarrod Halliday, Sione Fifita, Zion Tofilau tries; Jarrod Halliday cons; Jarrod Halliday pens)

HT: 13-19

Bombay (Counties Power Cup Holders) 28

(Adam Brash, James Conaglen, Taimua Malielegaoi, David O’Connell tries; Ki Anufe cons; Ki Anufe pens; Ki Anufe dk)

Manurewa Kidd Contracting 15

(Lachlan Collier, Penalty try, tries;  Timothy Taefu pens)

HT: 11-8

Karaka 60

(Jamie Gilbert-Clark, Kalione Hala, Baden Kerr, Deniro Fefiti, Rodney Tongatea 2, Cardiff Vaega 2 tries; Baden Kerr 7  cons; Baden Kerr 2 pens)

Onewhero Summit Homes 19

(William Bilitaki 2, Peter Vea tries; Cameron Roigard 2 cons)

HT: 31-7

Papakura 7

(Kristopher Smithson tries; Johan Fagsaua cons)

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors 94

(Macauley Casey, Atonio Efaraimo, Paul Faoagali, Latiume Fosita, Michael Hoeft, Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Leo Ngatai-Tafau, Whaiora Rangiwai 2, Savelio Ropati 3, Sion Toleafoa 2 tries; Solomona Paraki 7, Latiume Fosita 5 cons)

HT: 0-47

BYE Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel

Bob Chandler Memorial (Premier 2)

Bombay 12 Manurewa Wise Property Management (Counties Power Game of the Week) 12 ; Papakura 10 Ardmore Marist 95; Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical 78 Weymouth 0

Sid Marshall Shield (Premier 3)

Tuakau 12 Maramarua 30; Te Kauwhata 50 Ardmore Marist 28; Patumahoe Village Bar & Kitchen 39 Drury 14

Massey Cup (U21)

Manurewa 25 Patumahoe Albycon Ltd 47; Waiuku 29 Pukekohe 25 ; Bombay 12 Karaka 47

Under 85kg

Pukekohe (U85kg Cup Holders)12 Onewhero Bottle ‘O Tuakau 0; Karaka 35 Beachlands Maraetai 12; Papakura 39 Bombay 7; Waiuku 95 Te Kauwhata 3

Women’s

Semi Finals – Papakura 22 Grammar TEC 17; Manurewa 39 Ardmore Marist 28

1^st XV

Manurewa HS 37 Whangarei Boys 0; Edgewater 17 Rosehill College 23; Papatoetoe HS 0 Alfriston College 24; Mangere College 17 Pukekohe HS 3;