News

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega are the new Counties Power Cup holders after defeating Karaka 38-7 in their second round Premier match at Colin Lawrie Fields.

It was a very even first half, with Pukekohe going into the half time break with a slim 10-7 lead. Pukekohe coaching coordinator Bruce Langsdown said the second half was a different story.

“It was a really tight first half, nothing much in it at all, but in the second half we managed to cut away a bit. It was probably due to some good work done by the forward in the first half, we wore them down. To be fair to Karaka, they probably weren’t at full strength but at the end of the day we still had to score the points and we did.”

Langsdown said their loose forward Beau Birtwistle had an outstanding game. He said he made a big difference at the breakdown and he turned over a lot of ball.

“He was immense but all the forwards went well to be honest. They laid a platform and they were really strong.”

Nathan De Thierry scored a couple of tries for Pukekohe, while Russell Coutts scored Karaka’s try.

Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters picked up a good win over Manurewa at home, coming away with a 50-11 victory.

It was a good day for first five-eighth Luke Makris, who scored a hat trick, kicked five conversions and a penalty. Coach Adam Cathcart said he ran the show well.

“He played really well. He kicked and ran well. He’s a great player for us, he’s played every game so far. Blindside flanker Leroy Jack had a massive game for us as well, he was huge on defence. Steven Jones played well at openside and his brother Andrew went well off the bench.”

It was a busy first 10 minutes, with Onewhero having most of the ball at the start but not converting their possession into points. They were rushing things, but they made an adjustment and played much better. Manurewa scored early and trailed 24-11 at the halftime break. Cathcart said it was pleasing to keep Manurewa scoreless in the second spell.

“The boys were really happy with that. Our defence is something we have been working hard on. It was great to not have any points scored against us in the second half, it shows our hard work in that area is paying off.”

Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste put up a huge fight against Patumahoe Hotel at Patumahoe, in halfback Kane Hancy’s 100^th game. The home side ended up winning the match 35-17.

Patumahoe ran in six tries to one, with Vilitati Sabani scoring all of Te Kauwhata’s points - a try and four penalties. Kane Hancy scored a try in his milestone match for Patumahoe.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors picked up another win over Waiuku Brian James Contracting at Waiuku. The visiting side came away with a 46-3 victory.

Ardmore Marist got off to a great start and attacked right from the get go, scoring a few early tries. They went into the break with a 39-3 lead. Ardmore Marist President Glenn Flavell said it was great to get the result away from home.

“We knew it was never going to be easy to win away and the scoreline certainly doesn’t reflect Waiuku’s fight. We struggled to retain possession at times in the second half but to hold a team like Waiuku to 3 points was a really big effort.”

Lock Viliame Rarasea had a stand out game for Ardmore Marist and Luteru and Ray Laulala as well as captain Lolohea Loco lead the backline well. Despite the win, Flavell said the injury toll isn’t great.

“We’ve been hit by the injury bug again. We have a few injuries so our physio team are being kept very busy this season. We will have a recovery session today and will be assessing players early in the week.”

http://spranger.photoshelter.com/gallery/160604-Counties-Manukau-Club-Rugby-Waiuku-vs-Ardmore-Marist/G0000QwMmegE67xo/C00002xqIU04xAG8/u=U0000pU3dyzyTAnw

Bombay Gough Cat climbed to the top of the Premier table with their huge 114-0 win over Weymouth at Laurie Gibbons Domain.

Young 19-year old Shem Setu scored four tries for Bombay, while Sepuloni Taufa scored a hat trick. Bombay ran in eighteen tries.

Bombay sit four points ahead of Karaka in Counties Power Premier rugby and they now go into their bye week.

In round two of the Premier Reserves competition, Onewhero Hinemoa Produce/Livestock NZ had a close battle with Manurewa, with Onewhero taking the victory 26-21. Pukekohe defeated Karaka 27-12, Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins defaulted to Patumahoe Hutton Builders. Bombay Pokeno Bacon beat Puni 69-10 and Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s defeated Waiuku 38-16.

In Massey Cup Under 21 results, Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group beat Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture 32-15. Pukekohe were too good for Waiuku 61-7 and Patumahoe Albycon Ltd beat Karaka 28-19.

In the Under 20 competition, Beachlands Maraetai picked up a great result over Manukau 42-5 and Ponsonby beat Pukekohe 25-7.

It was a close one in the Counties Power Game of the Week, with Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s defeating Bombay Lincoln Farms 20-14 in their Under 85kg fixture at Bruce Pulman Park. Ardmore Marist’s Taylor Reedy was named the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Player of the Day. He took home an A S Wilcox & Sons Limited prize pack for his efforts.

In other Under 85kg results, Karaka beat Waiuku 16-3 and Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save continued their unbeaten streak with a 67-0 win over Onewhero.

And in round one of the Rainbow’s End Counties Manukau & Waikato 1^st XV Secondary Schools competition, Manurewa High School beat Rosehill College 46-29. Cambridge High beat Alfriston College 29-12. Matamata College and Pukekohe High School had a close encounter, with Matamata College just coming away with a 16-15 victory. They won the Deon Muir 1^st XV Challenge Trophy and they will put it on the line next weekend. St Johns were too good for Te Awamutu College 58-0 and Wesley College and St Peters had a 12-all draw.

Click HERE for the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Leaderboard.

All information supplied by clubs and team sheets.

Photo Credit: Richard Spranger