News

The Counties Power Premier Club semi-finalists have been found after yesterday’s fixtures in the final regular-season round of the 2016 competition. In the McNamara Cup, Karaka will host Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors and Bombay Gough Cat will host Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega.

In the Sid Marshall Shield, Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters host Waiuku Brian James Contracting and Patumahoe Hotel play Manurewa at Patumahoe.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors needed to beat Patumahoe Hotel by more than 8 points to ensure they made the McNamara Cup semi-finals, and that’s exactly what they did in their fixture at Patumahoe yesterday. Ardmore Marist President Glenn Flavell said they are absolutely stoked with the 33-24 victory.

“We knew it was going to be tough, up against Patumahoe on their own turf and they had a massive turn out yesterday. We had to be aggressive at the breakdown because they are well coached and have had a great season. They scored first and I think there was a bit of a murmur on the sideline but the boys never went away from the plan and we were up 18-12 at half time.”

The visitors had to make sure they finished off level on the leaderboard with Patumahoe. It was a tense situation towards the end of the match, with Ardmore Marist ahead on the score board but Patumahoe had scored four tries. Suiliasi Taufalele scored a good wingers try out on the wing for Ardmore Marist with five minutes to go. Flavell said from there they just had to grind out the win.

“The boys did really well in that final three minutes. They did a lot of pick and go’s, and just ground out the win. It really was a great game of rugby, evenly matched and the result could have gone either way.”

Viliame Rarasea, Savelio Ropati and Whaiora Rangiwhai scored Ardmore Marist’s other three tries, while Kirisome Laulala kicked two conversions and three penalties. For Patumahoe, Alex Eruera, Aloisio Maasi, Viliami Taulani and Sam Furniss scored tries, with Riley Hohepa and Jonny Wilkinson kicking a conversion.

In the Counties Power Game of the Week, Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste finished their season off on a high with a 43-14 victory over Weymouth. The club was celebrating a few milestones, including prop Jared Udy’s 100^th game. Te Kauwhata got off to a great start and led 21-7 at half time. They continued their dominance in the second half and got the victory for their home supporters. James Peters scored a double for Te Kauwhata, while Josua Simpson, Thomas Parima, How Peaua, Waikato Maka and Taniela Tuivai all scored a try each. Vilitati Sabani kicked four conversions.

Karaka had a good battle with Manurewa at Mountfort Park, with the visitors finishing off the regular season with a 43-29 victory.

Karaka scored in the opening five minutes through Seluini Molia, then Manurewa got themselves on a board through a penalty. The visitors bounced back with two tries to Lepetimalo Lauese and Desma Liaina, before they lost a prop to the sin bin. The home side scored while Karaka were down to 14 men. Russell Coutts then scored for Karaka, diving over the try line from the back of the ruck. Then Mark Selwyn scored for Manurewa right on half time to make it 26-15 to Karaka at the break.

Karaka coach Craig Hill said Manurewa played really well in the second half.

“John Fifita scored under the post for us five minutes into the second half, before Seluini Molia scored his second, but after that Manurewa really dominated for the next 15 minutes. They played some good football and scored a couple of good tries through Alamanda Motuga and Francis Tafua. We scored right on full time to take the win.”

First-five Orbyn Leger was back from New Zealand Under-20 duties at the Junior World Cup and he kicked four conversions. Hill said next week’s semi-final against Ardmore Marist will be a huge battle and they are looking forward to the occasion.

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega are the Counties Power Cup Winners for 2016 after defeating Papakura Ray White 64-0. It was a great outing for Pukekohe winger Trent White who bagged five tries and climbed straight to the top of the A S Wilcox & Sons Try Scoring leaderboard. Kodi Newson, Nathan De Thierry, Luke Waqanilotuvou, Beaudene Birtwistle and Jarred Adams all chimed in with a try.

Pukekohe’s semi-final opponents next week, Bombay Gough Cat proved too good for Waiuku Brian James Contracting on the hill. The home side coming away with a 50-15 victory. Bombay had solid first half, leading 26-3 at the half time break. Kalolo Tuiloma scored a hat trick, while Sam Vaka, Aaron Smith, Liam Daniela and Sam Aiono all scored singles. For Waiuku, Ropini Tupu and Sitani Folau scored tries and Jack Hardie kicked a penalty and conversion.

In Premier Reserve results, Karaka defeated Manurewa 43-12, Pukekohe beat Papakura Ray White 54-26, Puni picked up a huge win over Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 36-29, Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s ground out a close win over Patumahoe Hutton Builders 15-12 and Bombay Pokeno Bacon beat Waiuku 20-7.

Ardmore Marist produced a big upset in the Auckland Premier Women’s semi-final at Mountfort Park. They defeated defending champions Manurewa 17-14 in an intense match to reach the Coleman Shield Final.

In the Massey Cup Under 21 competition, Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture defeated Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group 46-18. Patumahoe Albycon Ltd beat Karaka 39-5 and Pukekohe came away with a 39-5 victory over Waiuku.

Beachlands Maraetai picked up a huge win over Ponsonby 32-15 in their Under 20 fixture at Te Puru Park and Pukekohe also won big, defeated Papatoetoe 47-26.

In Under 85kg results, Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save finished off the regular season unbeaten with a 68-0 win over Onewhero. Bombay Lincoln Farms defeated Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s 37-10 and Karaka beat Waiuku 24-12.

In First Grade, Waitemata defeated Manurewa 36-15.

There were great results for the Counties Manukau High School’s in the Rainbow’s End Counties Manukau & Waikato 1^st XV competition. Rosehill College came away with a close 28-26 victory over Cambridge High School. Manurewa High School thrashed Matamata College 69-0 and Pukekohe High School proved too good for Te Awamutu 44-15.

In the Central North Island 1^st XV competition, Wesley College produced a great result over Lindisfarne (Hawke’s Bay), winning 12-3.

A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Leaderboard after Week Seven, Round Two

All information supplied by clubs, coaches and team sheets

Photo Credit: Richard Spranger