Manurewa Kidd Contracting celebrated their centenary in style with a big 54-12 win over Papakura Thirsty Liquor in front of a big home crowd at Mountfort Park in the Counties Power Game of the Week.
With a number of club legends watching on, Jeremy Clark’s side overcame the hype and weight of expectation to take a comfortable bonus point win that lifts them into second on the McNamara Cup standings.
Papakura had a couple of early opportunities with the boot but Manurewa scored four first half tries to take a commanding lead into the break.
While not their most polished performance, Manurewa were able to score eight tries in total.
To Papakura’s credit they kept fighting the whole game and were able to score a pair of tries themselves in the second spell.
“Early on in the week you said the monkey off the back to be honest this is the monkey and we got it off our back.
“I think we left a lot of points out on the park and we have a lot to work on. We need to be more patient with ball.
“I am happy with how we accumulated points and we got the win – so that is the main thing.
“It is more relief for me – there was a lot of build-up going into today and I just wanted to make sure got the job done and we did it right.”
Karaka claimed a memorable 40-30 win over the previously unbeaten Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors at Karaka Sports Complex.
The home side remain top of the table and are the only side to have four wins from four after coming out on top of a see-sawing game of quality rugby.
After grabbing an early lead, Karaka led for the most part and skipped clear mid-way through the second spell.
Craig Hill’s side withstood a late fightback to bank maximum points in the process.
“A really good game of club rugby with both teams trying to find the balance of territory v attack and capitalising on each other’s errors,” Hill said.
“It was a good start from us, building from an early try and three penalties to take a 16-3 lead.
“Ardmore replied before halftime to make it 16-11 and they scored early in the second half to take the lead.
“We scored from a 50m break by Amanaki Savieti and I was pleased with how we closed it out.
“An improved line-out from us was a real positive.
“We did get penalised at the breakdown so just finding that balance between attacking the ball and leaving is a work on.”
Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel bounced back from a disappointing loss a week earlier to score a crucial 28-17 win over Bombay Super Freight.
The four tries they scored in the process gave Reon Graham’s side a vital bonus point that could become very relevant when the competition splits after week nine.
“I’m really happy with the five points against a tough opponent,” Graham said.
“We needed it and it came off the back of a very honest review from our last two performances.
“Our line-outs improved a lot and our was a lot crisper than it has been.
“We suffered couple of bad injuries to the in-form Dylan Watters and the veteran warrior Tamati Fromm, who suffered a nasty gash to his leg that required internal and external stitches.
“Special mention to Sepu Taufa from Bombay, that reacted quickly to stop the bleeding.
“Bombay never gave up and came back at us but big performances from ex-Bombay player Liam Daniela, Joe Royal (with three tries) and young Jack Stanford led the way to get us the win.”
Waiuku Land & Sea Civil continued their strong run of form to win their third match in four games as they beat Onewhero Summit Homes 43-17 at Onewhero Domain.
The win sees Peter Nock’s side climb into a share of third on the competition ladder.
“We knew they could be tough and home,” Nock said.
“We wanted to enjoy playing a bit of footy an after five minutes we had scored a couple of tries, so happy with the start.
“The boys started throwing passes when they could have carried; Onewhero intercepted a few and it got a bit messy.
“I loved the way most of our boys expressed themselves, running and getting involved but we know Karaka at home will be a different story.
“First win away from home and nailed a bonus point so very happy with the result.
“It was great to experience Onewhero – I’ve never been there before and loved their hospitality. Great people and great facilities.”
Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega claimed a 38-0 win over newcomers Weymouth at Laurie Gibbons Field to keep pace with the leading sides.
It means Sean Polwart’s side continues their run of loss, win, loss, win.
“The game was a bit stop-start and I wasn’t overly happy with how we weren’t able to get our game flowing,” Polwart said.
“There was a good individual performance from our centre Iga, who came into the starting line-up for Sione Fifita’s absence.
“Sam Slade tweaked his ankle and Louis Taylor tweaked his hamstring but hopefully they are not major injuries.”
Pukekohe upset home side Manurewa Wise Property Management 27-25 in their Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserves match – the curtain-raiser at Mountfort Park.
Manurewa fought back late in the match but the visitors were able to hold on for the win.
Karaka Reserves made it two wins from two over Ardmore Marist Barfoot & Thompson on the day as they claimed 32-12 win while Bombay Pokeno Bacon scored an impressive 28-12 win over Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical.
Karaka started the Massey Cup U21 competition in fine form with 19-13 win over Patumahoe CJM Construction. Pukekohe enjoyed a 60-7 thumping of Waiuku while Papakura Thirsty Liquour claimed a 28-22 win over Manurewa Barfoot & Thompson.
Patumahoe made a cracking start to the U85kg competition as they smashed Pukekohe 36-0. Bombay edged Beachland Maraetai 22-10 while Karaka enjoyed a 22-6 win over Waiuku in the perfect afternoon for the Karaka club; all four of their senior teams picking up wins on the day.
Manurewa women took a 109-0 hammering of Papakura in a popular result on the outer fields at Mountfort Park while Ardmore Marist beat North Harbour 34-10.
Counties Power Club Rugby Results 24 April 2021:
McNamara Cup (Premiership):
Manurewa Kidd Contracting 59-12 Papakura Thirsty Liquor (Counties Power Game of the Week)
Onewhero Summit Homes 17-43 Waiuku Land & Sea Civil
Karaka 40-30 Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors (Counties Power Cup Holders)
Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 28-17 Bombay Super Freight
Weymouth 0-38 Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe
Sid Marshall Shield (Championship):
Manurewa 27-29 Papakura Thirsty Liquor
Tuakau 13-7 Patumahoe Village Bar and Grill
Te Kohanga 5-10 Te Kauwhata PROCLAD
Maramarua 37-15 Puni
Drury 66-19 Pukekohe
Bob Chandler Cup (Premier Reserves):
Manurewa Wise Property Management 25-27 Pukekohe
Karaka 32-12 Ardmore Marist Barfoot & Thompson
Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical 12-28 Bombay Pokeno Bacon
Massey Cup (Under 21):
Manurewa Barfoot & Thompson 22-28 Papakura Thirsty Liquor
Pukekohe 60-7 Waiuku
Karaka 19-13 Patumahoe CJM Construction
Under 85kg
Bombay 22-10 Beachlands Maraetai
Te Kauwhata defaulted to Onewhero
Karaka 22-6 Waiuku
Patumahoe 36-0 Pukekohe
Papakura BYE
Women’s:
Manurewa 109-0 Papakura
North Harbour 10-34 Ardmore Marist
Counties Power Club Rugby Draws 1 May 2021:
McNamara Cup (Premiership):
Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors v Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe
Waiuku Land & Sea Civil v Karaka
Bombay Super Freight v Onewhero Summit Homes (Live Stream)
Papakura Thristy Liquor v Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel
Manurewa Kidd Contracting v Weymouth
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