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Karaka continued on their winning way in the Counties Power Premier Competition, coming away with a 21-9 victory over Patumahoe Hotel at Karaka Sports Park.

The first half was a real arm wrestle, with both sides given plenty of opportunities, but they couldn’t be finished off. Patumahoe went into the half time break with a 6-3 lead, but Karaka piled on the points in the second half. Karaka coach Craig Hill said his bench was probably the difference in the end.

“Our young prop Avea Momoisea was great on defence and so was the likes of Siulongoua Fotofili and Harry Fitzsimons. In the second half Liam Fitzsimons scored our first try off a good cross kick from Cardiff Vaega. Not long after that Siulongoua Fotofili scored off a loose ball and then Conall Bromwich scored our third. It was a pretty physical sort of match, a lot of work going on in the breakdown.”

Hill is expecting to have Kalione Hala, Orbyn Leger and Jonah Refiti back in the mix next week against Manurewa, as Karaka wait to find out who they will play in the semi-finals.

For Patumahoe, Riley Hohepa kicked two penalties, while Jonny Wilkinson kicked one.

At Colin Lawrie Fields, Counties Power Cup holders, Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega were close victors over Bombay Gough Cat, 13-10.

Pukekohe coach Rhys Cullinane said his side were very poor in the first half.

“We really didn’t play well at all in that first half. Whether it was us coming off the bye and being a bit sluggish I don’t know, but we could have been down by more than 10-0 at half time to be fair. Our defence hung in there and we managed to play better rugby in the second half.”

Cullinane said his side had a good look at themselves at half time and went back to their game plan.

“It was pleasing that we managed to keep them scoreless in the second half. Beaudene Birtwistle had a great second half for us and so did Trent White who scored both of our tries. First five-eighth Nathan de Thierry was good as well.”

Sam Aiono scored Bombay’s try, while Ki Anufe kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors continued their strong charge towards the semi-finals, picking up a crucial 18-11 victory over Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters at Bruce Pulman Park.

It was another big day for the Ardmore Marist club, with prop Jeremiah Fatialofa playing his 100^th Premier game. Joe Ikenasio also had a milestone match, his blazer game. The home side had a slim 8-6 lead at half time. Todd Petrie, Alex Samoa and Karl Ropati scored for Ardmore Marist, with Kirisome Laulala kicking a penalty, while Andrew Jones scored Onewhero’s try, with Luke Makris kicking two penalties.

Next week, Ardmore Marist takes on Patumahoe in a match that will decide who gets a McNamara Cup semi-final spot.

At Mountfort Park, Manurewa proved too strong for Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste, picking up a 60-8 victory, after leading 22-8 at half time.  

Flanker and Samoa Sevens player Alamanda Motuga had an outstanding game for the home side, running in three tries, while Gene Te Amo, stalwart Mark Selwyn, Brandon Maihi, Joshua Levi, Shaun Kingi-Murray and Teisam Faimasasa all chimed in with a try each. Jordan Ah-chong had a good day with the boot, kicking six conversions and a penalty. Mario Vodanovich scored Te Kauwhata’s try, while Vilitati Sabani kicked a penalty.

In the Counties Power Game of the Week, Waiuku Brian James Contracting came away with a 44-13 victory over Papakura Ray White at Massey Park.

Waiuku got off to a slow start, with Papakura having most of the possession in the first 20 minutes. Coach Jimmy Robinson said they were lucky not to concede early points.

“We didn’t have a lot of the ball at all. I was impressed with Papakura in the first half, they had the right attitude and they had us under pressure. It was unfortunate for them that their last passes would go to ground and we would swoop on it. We managed to score some long range tries and with our counter attacking abilities through our Fijian wingers and our fullback we managed to get the half time lead.”

Robinson said the second half was much better, his forwards started to dominate and they were able to kick on from there. He said his first five-eighth Jack Hardie had a great game.

“He ran the back line really well and scored 19 points. Jack, in connection with our midfielder Armyn Sanders and Ilaisa Koaneti were key for us yesterday.”

Second five-eighth Sanders was the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Player of the Day. He had an outstanding game and set up a couple of tries. He went home with an impressive vegetable pack from A S Wilcox & Sons Limited.

John Tullett and Jordan Morrison scored Papakura’s tries, while Morrison kicked a penalty.

In Premier Reserve results, Karaka were too good for Patumahoe Hutton Builders 41-17. Pukekohe defeated Bombay Pokeno Bacon 54-12. Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s beat Onewhero Hinemoa Produce/Livestock NZ 46-20. Manurewa thrashed Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 91-0 and Waiuku defeated Papakura Ray White 57-14.

In Massey Cup Under 21 results, Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group picked up a 24-10 win over Patumahoe Albycon Ltd. Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture proved too strong for Waiuku 81-10 and Pukekohe defeated Karaka 59-10.

Pukekohe and Ponsonby had a close battle in their Under 20 fixture at Cox’s Bay Reserve, with the home side just getting the victory 17-16. Beachlands Maraetai picked up a great win over Manukau, 19-0 at Williams Park.

In Under 85kg results, Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s defeated Karaka 20-6. Bombay Lincoln Farms beat Onewhero 32-3 and Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save proved too good for Waiuku 56-0.

In the Auckland Women’s Premier competition, Manurewa jumped to the top of the table with a 14-9 win over Rifles Thunderbirds at Mountfort Park.

And in the Rainbow’s End Counties Manukau & Waikato 1^st XV Premier competition, Pukekohe High School defeated Alfriston College 25-0. St Johns College were too good for Manurewa High School 30-6. Matamata College and Rosehill College had a close encounter, with Matamata just scraping in 23-22 and Cambridge High School beat Te Awamutu College 22-17. In the Central North Island competition, Wesley College thrashed St Johns College 60-0.

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

All information supplied by clubs, coaches and team sheets

Photo Credit: Richard Spranger

CMRFU Counties Power Semi Final – 16 July 2016

Mc Namara Cup Premier

SF1 – Pool A 1 v Pool B 2 | SF2 – Pool B 1 v Pool A 2

Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserves

SF1 – Pool A 1 v Pool B 2 | SF2 – Pool B 1 v Pool A 2

Sid Marshall Shield Premier

SF1 – Pool A 3 v Pool B 4 | SF2 – Pool B 3 v Pool A 4

Bill Marsh Cup  Premier Reserves

SF1 – Pool A 3 v Pool B 4 | SF2 – Pool B 3 v Pool A 4