News

Bombay has opened their McNamara Cup season with a hard-fought 10-10 draw with Papakura at Massey Park in Papakura on Saturday.

After a challenging pre-season for Bombay, coach Mike Tuiloma was happy to walk away from an opening week road trip with a pair of competition points.

“Kura is sharp and well drilled side, so it was definitely well done,” he told Counties Sports Hub.

“But looking forward we hope to fix some details and come back better.

“No rugby for three weeks since our last pre-season game, so we definitely needed that game.”

Pukekohe handed defending champions Manurewa a second successive loss to start the new season when they came away from Mountfort Park with a 28-34 victory.

Michael Porter’s side improves to 2-0 on the season.

“Always nice to get a win up in Rewa – always a hard place to go and win,” Porter said.

“Happy we could play 80 minutes to get the win.”

Coach Jeremy Clark and his two-time defending champions got off to a slow start last season before peaking when it mattered, and his side was right in both games so far despite coming out on the wrong side of the scoreline.

Patumahoe racked up a big score as they beat Ardmore Marist 125-5 in a lopsided game at Bruce Pulman Park.

The win lifts Patumahoe to the top of the standings after two rounds.

“Happy with the win,” said coach Brad Healy. “We move onto next week and a big game against Manurewa at home.”

Pukekohe edged Manurewa 35-34 in Bob Chandler Cup Premier Development action while Papakura held off Bombay 24-13 in the only other match of the round.

Onewhero bounced back from an opening week loss to defeat Waiuku 27-5 in Sid Marshall Shield play.

Maramarua blanked arch rivals Te Kauwhata 29-0 in the annual Gumboot Game and move to the top of the standings as a result.

Weymouth joined them on two wins from two as they handed defending champions Drury a second consecutive loss – a 26-21 result at Drury.

Puni beat Tuakau 42-12 in Tuakau while Te Kohanga prevailed 26-17 over Manurewa at home.

Pukekohe completed a terrific day as they defeated Manurewa 20-17 at Mountfort Park in Massey Cup U21 play while Ardmore Marist grabbed a convincing 35-17 win over Patumahoe.

Karaka triumphed over Pukekohe 18-16 in a tightly fought U85kg clash at Karaka Sports Complex.

Elsewhere, Patumahoe beat Drury 50-0, while Waiuku picked up a narrow 14-12 win over Beachlands Maraetai at Te Puru Park.

Ardmore Marist won their Bright Cup U19 match against TKO (Tuakau, Onewhero, Te Kohanga) 32-17 while Manurewa beat Waiuku 38-11 on the road.

Pukekohe was soundly beaten by Auckland outfit Puketapapa.

Manurewa went down to North Shore 22-21 in a knife-edge Emma Jensen Cup Premier Women’s match at Mountfort Park.

Karaka enjoyed a 45-32 win over College Rifles in the Development Women’s grade while Patumahoe beat Massey 34-24 and Pukekohe triumphed over Waitakere 45-4 away from home.

Papakura lost to Eden 37-10.