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Round Two of the Counties Power Premier and Premier Reserve competitions were played on Saturday and two Counties Manukau club rugby stalwarts notched up their 100^th games.

Manurewa’s Mark ‘Sharky’ Selwyn played his 100^th for the club against Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega at Colin Lawrie Fields. It certainly wouldn’t have been the result Manurewa were hoping for to celebrate Selwyn’s milestone. Pukekohe coming away with a 62-18 victory.

It was relatively tight at half time, with Pukekohe leading 19-10. But the score blew out in the second spell. Even though Manurewa didn’t get the win, Selwyn did score a try in the encounter. Pukekohe fullback Jared Page scored a hat-trick, while Joe Reynolds chimed in with 20 points, scoring a try and kicking six conversions and a penalty.

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At Massey Park, Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters celebrated prop Robert ‘Kuts’ Katu’s 100^th game for the club in style. They defeated a determined Papakura Ray White side 35-5.

Onewhero coach Adam Cathcart said it was a great occasion for their prop.

“He’s a really good man for our club, he’s pretty uncompromising and that’s how he was yesterday. He’s always tough and he always puts the team first. He ran with the ball well and scrummaged well yesterday.”

Onewhero and Papakura faced off a couple of weeks ago, and Cathcart said that like that match Papakura were no easy beats.

“Defensively they were really good and the scrambled for everything. The scoreline showed that they are a tough team to crack and you need to play well for the full 80 minutes.”

Cathcart said prop Ali Fahiua had a great game and was the player of the day, while hooker Andrew Jones was also strong.

On the hill, Bombay Gough Cat proved too good for Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste, winning 83-14. The home side got off to a strong and commanding start and by half time, they were leading 52-0. Bombay scored 13 tries in the victory, including a hat trick to Tulele Masoe. Tevita Pupu and Taniela Tuivai scored for Te Kauwhata.  

Patumahoe Hotel picked up a 46-12 win over Waiuku Brian James Contracting in Waiuku. Patumahoe first five-eighth Riley Hohepa had another outstanding game, scoring two tries and kicking four conversions and a penalty. Coach John Penberthy gave plenty of credit to his playmaker.

“Riley played really well yesterday, scoring 21 of our points. He combined well with halfback Kane Hancy who played his first game of the season for us, after returning from Portugal.”

Penberthy said the wind certainly played its part in their win over Waiuku.

“It was a very strong wind and we had it in the first half, so we went into the break 12-0 up. To Waiuku’s credit they fought back in that second spell and it got quite tight for a bit, but we managed to run away with it in the end. Waiuku definitely put up a spirited effort.”

Patumahoe are a bit depleted at the moment with injuries, with the likes of Sam Furniss out with concussion, but they will also be without props Sione Faletau and Kamaliele Sakalia who have been selected to play for Tonga at the Pacific Nations Cup.

Penberthy said it’s great news for them and he wishes them all the best while they are away for about a month.

Kane Hancy will play his 100^th game for Patumahoe against Te Kauwhata this weekend. Penberthy said it will be a huge occasion for the club.

“His first game for Paty was back in 2005 and he’s won two championships for the club which he captained in 2006 and 2012. He’s a huge asset to the club and the Counties Manukau Union too, having played over 50 games for Counties. He’s come back from Portugal with a lot of euros so he has to start shouting the bar. He’ll be opening the wallet for the first time in 15 years.”

At Bruce Pulman Park, Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors picked up a big win over Weymouth, 64-13. It was a very tight first half with the home side narrowly leading 12-10 at the break. But Ardmore Marist ran away with it in the second half, outscoring Weymouth 52-3. It was a day to remember for Lolohea Loco. The Ardmore Marist fullback ran in five tries in the victory. Luteru Laulala kicked seven conversions, while Sonatane Halaeko and Waimanu Mano scored Weymouth’s tries.

In the Counties Power Game of the Week, Pukekohe came out as victors over Manurewa in their Premier Reserve fixture at Colin Lawrie Fields. The home side won 36-7. Pukekohe’s Joshua Glas was the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Player of the Day. Glas got an intercept try that turned the game and he was consistent with his tackling and support play. He went home with a vegetable pack from A S Wilcox & Sons Limited.

In other Premier Reserve results, Onewhero Hinemoa Produce defeated Papakura Ray White 45-17, Bombay Pokeno Bacon beat Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 55-10, Patumahoe Hutton Builders and Waiuku had a close encounter, with Patumahoe taking the win 11-9, and Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s defeated Puni 56-7.

In the Massey Cup Under 21 competition, Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture beat Waiuku 64-25, Patumahoe Albycon Ltd came away with a slim 13-10 victory over Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group and Pukekohe defeated Karaka 22-5.

In Under 20 results, Marist beat Pukekohe 41-7 and Ponsonby defeated Beachlands Maraetai 20-13.

In the Under 85kg competition, Bombay Lincoln Farms beat Onewhero 64-0, Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s and Karaka had a good battle, with Ardmore Marist coming away with a 13-10 victory and Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save were too good for Waiuku 69-3.

Manurewa and Ponsonby Fillies battled it out in the Auckland Premier Women’s competition, and the Manurewa side came away with the win, 7-5.

And a big congratulations goes to Pukekohe High School, who won the 1^st XV Chiefs Bowl Final over Te Awamutu College 29-11.

Richard Spranger Photo Credit

All information supplied by clubs and team sheets.

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