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Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega produced their biggest win of the Challenge Cup Premier season with a 51-24 victory over Patumahoe Hotel at Patumahoe.

It was a tight encounter with Pukekohe leading 27-14 at the halftime break. Only six points separated the two sides halfway through the second spell, but Pukekohe coaching coordinator Bruce Langsdown said they finished strong.

“That last quarter was really key. Over the last few weeks we have had good patches of rugby but we haven’t finished well, so to have finished the way we did was great. We scored three tries in the last quarter of an hour and we dominated territory and possession. Patumahoe did have two in the bin at one stage which helped us, but we didn’t score when they were off.

“It was a real physical game. Both forward packs had their moments and Pukekohe were in the game for a long time. What was pleasing for us is that we were under the pump and we managed to absorb most of it. Patumahoe got quite a few injuries so they had to go to their bench early which may have taken some petrol out of the tank. But we managed to hang in there long enough.”

Langsdown said the two Adams brothers, Callum and Jarred had strong games for Pukekohe as well as hooker Gafatasi Su’a.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors got themselves back in the winner’s circle with a 43-7 win over Weymouth at Bruce Pulman Park.

It was a stop-start affair with Weymouth stopping Ardmore Marist’s flow, but Ardmore Marist President Glen Flavell said Weymouth were physical.

“Weymouth are always physical and they were very abrasive at the breakdown. Our boys maintained their discipline and our tight five dominated at set piece.”

Ardmore Marist first five-eighth Kirisome Laulala had a great game, controlling play, scoring a try and kicking five conversions and a penalty. Flavell said it was great to welcome back halfback Jonathan Taumateine, who’s been selected in the New Zealand Under 20’s squad for the Junior Rugby World Cup in England next month.

“It was great to have Jonathan back, and he scored a try as well. We are so proud of what he’s achieved and it’s good to have him back in the mix. Hopefully we will have him against Waiuku next week as well before he heads overseas. But in saying that we also have some good depth at halfback so it will be a good opportunity for those guys when he is away.”

Flavell said they enjoyed the victory but it will be back to the drawing board this week as they prepare to take on Waiuku away from home.

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It was a special day for Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters, as they celebrated lock Kieran Whyte’s 100^th game in style, coming away with a 57-0 win over Papakura Ray White.

Onewhero took a while to get into the game and only led 17-0 at halftime. Coach Adam Cathcart gave plenty of credit to Papakura.

“Papakura really scrambled and defended really well. They just tackled and tackled and destructed us. We finally managed to put it together in the final 20 minutes, we scored most of our points in that last quarter. We finished off strong which was pleasing.”

Cathcart said Whyte had another typical Kieran kind of game and was stuck into everything in his milestone match.

“He was great. He did all the dirty work, cleaning out the ruck. He tackled well and defended well in the line out, as well as getting his own ball. His number one supporter, Pumpkin the goat was on the sideline cheering him on and it was a pretty good crowd, few people up on the deck so it was a good occasion.”

Onewhero blindside flanker Kaleb Foote got the Player of the Day prize. He got a couple of great runs and set up a few tries. First five-eighth Nathan Langsford also played well in his return game from a hamstring injury, scoring a try and getting stuck into everything.

Counties Power Cup Holders Karaka picked up their eighth win of the season, defeating Waiuku Brian James Contracting 65-12.

Karaka had their two all-girls Under 6 and Under 7 Rippa teams being the ball girls for the Premier side. Coach Craig Hill said his side performed well.

“I was really happy with the result this week. We put a big emphasis on the start because we haven’t started well recently. But we definitely started well this week. The boys were great in the first 10 minutes and it really laid the platform for the rest of the game. We scored a well worked try in the opening stages. Credit to Waiuku though, they defended really well.”

Hill said his prop Russell Coutts and lock John Fifita had great games, but he also gave special mention to midfielder Cardiff Vaega and his bench players.

“Cardiff has gone really well for us this season. He has really fitted into the environment and he has taken on a leadership role because he is really experienced, and it’s been good for him.

“We got a lot out of our bench this week. We were up 26-5 at the break and we made some changes early in the second half and the boys who came in really upped the ante and piled on the points.”

Karaka hooker Sione Anga’aelangi scored a try against Waiuku and he’s also been named in the Tongan Pacific Nations Cup team. He’s in line to make his international debut in a few weeks and he can’t wait.

Joe Dawson and Aaron Yuill scored Waiuku’s tries, while Tevita Nabura slotted a conversion.

Fresh off the bye, Bombay Gough Cat came out firing in their fixture against Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste at Te Kauwhata. Bombay ran in 12 tries to four in the 80-28 victory. Ki Anufe kicked ten conversions. Sepuloni Taufa and Aaron Smith both dotted down twice for Bombay, while Chiefs playmaker Glen Fisiiahi also crossed the white chalk. For Te Kauwhata, Maake Vaimohea, Peter Vea, Suliasi Kaufusi and Waikato Maka all scored tries, with Kirisome Laulala kicking five conversions and a penalty.

Karaka and Bombay Gough Cat sit at the top of the Challenge Cup table on 40 points, Patumahoe Hotel are on 34 points, with Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega just behind on 33 points.

In the Don Shuker Cup Premier Reserves, Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s were too good for Puni 118-5, Bombay Pokeno Bacon defeated Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 38-3. Patumahoe Hutton Builders came away with a 27-21 victory over Pukekohe. It was a close one between Onewhero Hinemoa Produce and Papakura Ray White, with Onewhero coming away with a 29-25 win and Karaka defeated Waiuku 44-3.

Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture took out the Counties Power Game of the Week, defeating Patumahoe Albycon 26-8 on the hill in their Massey Cup Under 21 match. Bombay had a 14-3 lead at halftime. Bombay’s Wade Waters was the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Player of the Day. He made great runs, had solid defence and it was his first game in the forwards. Waters went home with a bag of vegetables from A S Wilcox & Sons Limited.

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In other Massey Cup Under 21 results, Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group and Pukekohe had a tight tussle, with Ardmore Marist narrowly getting the win 28-26 and Karaka defeated Waiuku 50-24.

The Bright Cup Under 20 competition saw some close results, with Beachlands Maraetai only losing in the dying seconds to Grammar Tech 27-22. Pukekohe came away with a 13-5 victory over Papatoetoe.

In Under 85kg fixtures, Bombay Lincoln Farms defeated Karaka 22-8, Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save beat Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s 29-5 and Waiuku defeated Onewhero 24-12.

In the Women’s competition, Waiuku put up a good fight against Ponsonby Fillies, in the end losing 24-10 and Manurewa and Rifles Thunderbirds came away with a 10-all draw.

There were some big scores in the 1^st XV Chiefs Cup, Trophy & Bowl. Alfriston College defeated Waiuku College 44-10. St Peters came away with an 88-0 victory over Rosehill College. Wesley College 2^nd XV beat Thames Valley 41-7. Rotorua Boys High School recorded a 41-15 victory over Manurewa High School and St Pauls beat Wesley College 1^st XV 39-10.

A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Leaderboard after Round Ten

Richard Spranger Photo Credit

All information supplied by clubs and team sheets.