News

Karaka are now the holders of the Counties Power Cup after they put on a huge performance to hand Patumahoe Hotel their first loss of the season in the Challenge Cup Premier competition.

Patumahoe scored first in the encounter, a well worked try down the right hand side for Sam Furniss. Karaka then came back with a similar try to Tenina Sauileoge in the left hand corner. From there, Desma Liaina put a kick up for Harry Luteru to score and Sauileoge then went on to score his second try, breaking through the midfield to score on the right hand side. Karaka went into halftime with an 18-10 lead.

In the second spell, Patumahoe Hotel opened up the scoring with a penalty and then Karaka hooker Sione Anga’aelangi, who was playing his 100^th game, dotted down from a line out drive. Sauileoge scored his hat trick before Patumahoe’s Sam Furniss scored his second right on full time.

Karaka coach Craig Hill said it was a very good effort from his side and he credited Anga’aelangi in his milestone match.

“He had an outstanding game. He led the boys well and his ball carrying and line out throws were top notch. The boys really played well for his as well.”

Hill said Sauileoge had a very clinical performance.

“He took every opportunity he got. It was really quite an impressive display. His three tries weren’t easy but he certainly made them look that way.”

Karaka also retained the Trevor Wymer Memorial Cup. Wymer was a Karaka life member with many close friends in Patumahoe.

Hill’s side now sit at the top of the Challenge Cup standings, on equal points as Bombay Gough Cat. Patumahoe Hotel sit two points behind. Hill said they thankfully didn’t pick up any injuries yesterday.

“We have got a few guys coming back into the mix which is good. Kalione Hala will be back, as well as Penitoa Finau. Our boys who have been overseas with the Samoan Under 20’s will also be coming back too. It’s great to have the Counties Power Cup, hopefully we can hold onto that and get a few more points in the bag.”

Bombay Gough Cat proved too strong for Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors in their match at Bruce Pulman Park, they won 45-25.

The visiting side made a raft of unforced errors in the first half and made it hard on themselves and they only had a slim 14-13 lead at half time. Bombay coach Jeff Marr said they needed to go back to basics in the second spell.

“I was really pleased with the end result but we certainly made it hard for ourselves in the first half. We learned from that in the second half and scored some good tries. Sam Vaka scored a couple of outstanding individual tries actually. We got some structure back. I think the boys were just a bit excited to be playing Ardmore Marist in that first forty.”

Marr said Vaka had a great game for them. He came off around the 55 minute mark and played a very strong first half. He also gave credit to Patrick Masoe who played inside Vaka at second-five, he had a solid 80 minute performance.

“Again our bench was fantastic. I’ve been really pleased with our bench this season, not to take anything away from our starting side, but our bench guys came on at a difficult time and they stood up and provided the impact we needed. Our scrum was solid as well, it got more and more dominant as the game went along. We just need to work on getting rid of the silly mistakes out of our game.”

Bombay have a bye next week and Marr said it has probably come at a good time, so that his side can freshen up. Bombay’s right winger Etuale Pitone suffered a serious wrist injury in yesterday’s win, he had an x-ray after the match and they are now waiting on results.

Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters held off a solid defensive effort from Waiuku Brian James Contracting, to come away with a 17-7 victory at Waiuku.

Onewhero coach Adam Cathcart said it was great to see his side bounce back from last week’s disappointing loss to Patumahoe.

“Obviously we were really gutted about last week’s result. This week we wanted a bit more excitement and energy from the boys, and we definitely got that. It was a huge improvement on last week. We played our game rather than what last week showed. We got the ball from the start and held onto it. We probably didn’t finish off all our opportunities, but we did our thing and it paid off. We didn’t have the victory at all until the end, so it was tight but we came through.”

Reginald Sikivou and Luke Makris scored Onewhero’s tries, while Jeff Tupu scored for Waiuku Brian James Contracting. Cathcart said Waiuku fronted up on defence.

“We had most of the ball in the first half and they held their own. Their defensive effort was huge.”

He credited his prop Sean Bagshaw and lock Kieran Whyte in the victory. Bagshaw was Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters Player of the Day. They have one major injury concern however, with centre and playmaker Leroy Nahi leaving the field with an ankle niggle. Onewhero are awaiting scan results.

Papakura Ray White picked up their second win of the season, with an 18-13 victory over Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste. It was tight at halftime, with the score locked at 10-all. Papakura manager Rod Hoban said they really stepped up in the forwards.

“Darryl Hemopo and Nui Wellington led from the front all game. They just stood up to the big Te Kauwhata pack and set up halfback Shirley Halasima well. He also had an outstanding game. He had a blinder and scored a fantastic try from behind the scrum, it was a great solo try.”

Maake Vaimohea scored Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste’s try, while Vilitati Sabani kicked a conversion and two penalties. Taafaga Tagaloa scored Papakura Ray White’s other try, with Fabian Broughton also kicking a conversion and two penalties.

At the Laurie Gibbons Domain, Manurewa defeated Weymouth 40-10, with Manurewa running in six tries to one. Manurewa started strong, scoring the first try, which was pleasing for assistant coach Josh Levi

“The start was definitely better. It’s been one of our key work ons over the last few weeks, to get a stronger start and get some early points so we don’t have to play catch up and we managed to do that, having a 23-6 lead at half time put us in good stead.”

Levi said the game was a bit scrappy at times, but they just wanted to get the bonus point, which they did. Steve Tuiuli had a great last hit out for Manurewa.

“Steve’s heading back to Samoa and we are definitely going to miss him. He had a really good game yesterday, scoring a try, and we let him kick the last conversion right out in front.”

Levi also credited the reserves who came on and played well for Manurewa. He said collectively they will need to be much better against Ardmore Marist next weekend.

“That will be a tough game, but we’re looking forward to playing them. The boys will get up for that. We’re really pleased to have got two wins in a row now and hopefully that can continue.”

In the Counties Power Game of the Week, Karaka came away with a 36-22 victory over a spirited Patumahoe Hutton Builders side in their Don Shuker Premier Reserve fixture. Patumahoe halfback Aaron Coe was named the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Player of the Day. He received a bag of vegetables from A S Wilcox & Sons Limited.

In other Don Shuker Premier Reserve results, Bombay Pokeno Bacon proved too good for Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s, winning 40-5. Papakura Ray White defeated Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 36-21, Manurewa dominated Puni 83-24, and Onewhero Hinemoa Produce/Livestock NZ held off Waiuku 19-12.

Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group came away with a 39-24 victory over Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture in their Massey Cup Under 21 match. Patumahoe Albycon Limited beat Karaka 19-12 in a close encounter and Pukekohe were too strong for Waiuku 64-5.

In the Bright Cup Under 20 competition, Waitemata defeated Pukekohe 32-24.

Bombay Lincoln Farms beat Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s 23-11 in their Under 85kg fixture. Karaka came away with a 20-5 victory over Waiuku and Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save were far too good for Onewhero 104-0.

And the Counties Manukau Premier Women’s teams produced great results against their Auckland and North Harbour rivals. Ardmore Marist defeated Rifles Thunderbirds 23-17, Manurewa were too good for East Coast Bays 32-10 and Waiuku thrashed Waitemata 40-5.

A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Leaderboard after Round Eight

Information supplied by coaches and team sheets.

Richard Spranger Photo Credit