News

Wet weather rugby struck the Counties Power Club Rugby senior competitions again, with close results recorded right across the park.

In the second round of the Counties Power Premier competition, Karaka and Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters had a tight battle at Karaka Sports Park. The home side eventually came away with a 15-10 victory after leading 10-3 at half time.

Conditions were pretty sodden under foot and it became a real battle of the forwards. Karaka opened scoring with a try to first-five Antonio Lavemai, after Onewhero had a kick charged down. Onewhero then had a period of attacking Karaka’s line for about 10 minutes before they were awarded a penalty. Unfortunately for Onewhero, not long into the second half, their number eight suffered a serious ankle injury and the game had to be moved to another field after about 10 minutes of stoppage. Karaka coach Craig Hill said after that, the game virtually had to restart.

“With about 20 minutes to go, we scored a try through lock Asa Lehauli, it was a forward driving effort. At that stage Karaka were up 15-3, but then we conceded two yellow cards to go down to 13 men with 15 minutes to go. During that time Onewhero scored from a scrum and they converted.”

Hill said to his sides credit, they managed to have a good period of attack, even when they were down to only 13 men. He was impressed with Antonio Lavemai, who scored a try and kicked a penalty.

“He had a good kicking game and he was great on defence. In the forwards, lock and captain Asa Lehauli led the boys well and loose forward Jamie Gilbert-Clark also had a great game.”

Leroy Jack scored Onewhero’s try, while Luke Makris kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Hill said he still has seven guys out of action, so he’s hoping to have them back in the next couple of weeks for the semis. Karaka remain at the top of Premier Pool A.

http://spranger.photoshelter.com/gallery/160625-Counties-Manukau-Club-Rugby-Karaka-vs-Onewhero/G0000q1FtW5px.uQ/C00002xqIU04xAG8/u=U0000pU3dyzyTAnw

At Massey Park, Manurewa got themselves back in the winner’s circle, defeating Papakura Ray White 33-3.

The start of the game was delayed by quite some time, because of a serious injury suffered in the Premier Reserves game. Manurewa assistant coach Josh Levi said his side just grinded out the win.

“We came off a bye, which can be a good thing but it can also be hard too. We were just happy to get the win. It was a great defensive effort from our side, not allowing any tries in. Our defence has been a real work on over the last couple of weeks.”

Levi said it will be back to the drawing board this week, as the look to seek revenge over Te Kauwhata, who they drew with a few weeks back.

Waiuku Brian James Contracting picked up another win, this time against Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste at home, 26-8.

Waiuku coach Jimmy Robinson said it was their first real wet weather test for the season, so he was pleased with the outcome.

“Our Fijian winger Tevita Nabura scored a brilliant solo try quite early on and after that we started to push big passes and we had too many 50/50 passes instead of keeping it tight. We came right after half time and pushed on from there. Our other Fijian winger Akariva Niubalavu scored a hat trick. Those two boys have been excellent for us and they have size as well as pace. Hopefully they start getting looked at in Counties colours.”

Robinson said second-five Ilaisa Koaneti played really well in his blazer game and forwards Terry Dolan and Sitani Folau were outstanding on defence and their efforts got the whole team’s defence on the front foot.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors produced a bit of an upset, defeating Premier Pool B leaders Bombay Gough Cat at Bruce Pulman Park. 

It was a great day for the Ardmore Marist club who were celebrating 20 years since the two clubs merged. All five of their senior teams played at home and got the win.

Ardmore Marist president Glenn Flavell said the Premier game against Bombay was a really tough encounter.

“Of course we expected to have a hard match against Bombay. They are a class act and they are well coached and have a really structured approached to the game. Credit to our boys though they defended really well and I think that’s what got us through in the end was our defence on the line. They absorbed Bombay’s attack and it’s something the boys have been working hard on and it has been paying off in this last half of the season so far.”

Ardmore Marist trailed 17-8 at half time, with Aaron Smith and Joshua Allan scoring tries for Bombay and Ki Anufe kicking two conversions and a penalty. Flavell said young first five-eighth Bradford Lemalufai’toaga had an outstanding game for Ardmore Marist.

“He really stepped into the first-five role well. He’s a young player with a lot of ticker. His kicking game was on, kicking two conversions and a penalty and he directed the team really well. He came up from the Reserves squad and has been training with the Premiers for a while now.”

Again, lock Viliame Rarasea and winger Lolohea Loco were impressive for Ardmore Marist. But Flavell also credited the whole side for their collective team effort in the win.

Next weekend’s match against Onewhero could be another huge occasion for the club, with prop Jeremiah Fatialofa in line to play his 100^th game.

Unfortunately, Weymouth defaulted to Patumahoe Hotel and Counties Power Cup holders Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega had a bye.

In Premier Reserve results, Karaka proved too good for Onewhero Hinemoa Produce/Livestock NZ 65-0. Manurewa defeated Papakura Ray White 29-8. Patumahoe Hutton Builders beat a spirited Puni 31-12. Waiuku picked up a 39-0 victory over Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins. In the Counties Power Game of the Week Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s came up victors over Bombay Pokeno Bacon, 34-21.

Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture defeated Karaka 24-10 in their Massey Cup Under 21 fixture. In other results, Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group defeated Waiuku 41-12 and Pukekohe were too good for Patumahoe Albycon Ltd 41-17.

In Under 85kg results, Bombay Lincoln Farms beat Waiuku 38-5. Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s were too good for Onewhero 69-0 and Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save defeated a spirited Karaka 19-6.

In the Premier Women’s competition, Ardmore Marist picked up a great win over East Coast Bays 39-7.

Suburbs defeated Manurewa 15-10 in their First Grade fixture at Mountfort Park.

And in the Rainbow’s End Counties Manukau & Waikato 1^st XV Secondary Schools competition, St Johns held onto the Deon Muir Challenge Cup with a convincing 76-5 win over Rosehill College. Manurewa High School defeated rivals Pukekohe High School 33-6. Cambridge High School beat Matamata College 19-3 and Te Awamutu College defeated Alfriston College 20-5.

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

All information supplied by clubs, coaches and team sheets

Photo Credit: Richard Spranger