News

Manurewa Kidd Contracting handed Karaka their first loss of the McNamara Cup season as they recorded a 27-22 win at Karaka Sports Complex.

It was an important result for the visitors, who had fallen to Patumahoe in a surprise loss a week earlier and sees them maintain third place on the championship ladder.

“It was a solid game. Both teams went at each other for 80 minutes,” Manurewa coach Jeremy Clark said.

“I was happy with the effort especially against Karaka, who are top of the table. They are a big side with threats all over the park.

“There will definitely be some sore bodies after that encounter.

“There is still heaps to work on so back to work Tuesday and Thursday to prepare for Onewhero at home next weekend.”

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors cruised to a 43-5 win over Bombay Super Freight in the Counties Power Game of the Week at Bruce Pulman Park.

The win lifts Ardmore Marist into a share of top spot.

“It was a physical game but we were lucky to get ahead early in the game,” Ardmore Marist coach Doug Sanft said.

“Bombay were missing some of their influential players,” Sanft acknowledged.

The loss leaves Bombay in a precarious position, needing to win their final two games to make the top five and have any chance of retaining the McNamara Cup.

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel took a big step towards making the top five as they secured a 44-19 win over Onewhero Summit Homes up the hill.

It hasn’t always proven a happy hunting ground for Reon Graham’s side but they took an early lead and held on throughout the match.

“Another tough game on the hill,” Graham said. “Happy to bank the five points against a typically tough Onewhero team.

“Happy with our set piece, which laid a good platform for us.

“Stand outs were Niels Egelmeer, Liam Daniela and local Onewhero boy Jesse Te Kani. The twins Lionel and Glynne Evans had big contributions and Dylan Leckner continues to put his hand up for Steelers selection.

“Credit to Paolo and his crew for keeping Onewhero very competitive.”

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega kept alive their top five hopes with a convincing 61-7 win over Papakura Thirsty Liquor at Colin Lawrie Fields.

They move up to sixth on the ladder and sit a solitary point outside the all-important top five cut-off.

“Pleased at how we stuck to our patterns coming out of our half and how we earned the right to throw the ball around and play instinctive rugby in the right areas,” coach Sean Polwart said.

“There are still some discipline issues to tidy up – will need to be much better next week against Bombay up the hill.

“Stand outs were Jarrod Halliday, Cody White and halfback Shin Tatsuno.”

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil got back to winning ways as they beat Weymouth 66-7 at Rugby Park to maintain fifth place.

“We started well, got points up and made changes and played guys that needed some game time,” coach Peter Nock explained.

“We had a couple of season-ending injuries and we need to really use our depth.

“The game became really slow in the second half and it was disappointing with incidents of foul play and the game got testy.

“It was a real stop-start second half but we came away with a very valuable five points.”

Te Kohanga maintained their top four position in the Sid Marshall Shield Championship grade with a 28-20 win over Maramarua.

Drury continued their red-hot start to the campaign as they thumped Manurewa 53-5 while Puni picked up a 64-17 win over Tuakau.

Te Kauwhata Proclad enjoyed a 31-22 win over Patumahoe Village Bar & Grill while Pukekohe edged Papakura Thirsty Liquor 20-19.

Karaka claimed a 36-19 win over Manurewa Wise Property Management in Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserves action.

Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical beat Pukekohe 19-13 while Bombay Pokeno Bacon enjoyed a 21-8 win over Ardmore Marist Barfoot & Thompson.

Papakura Thirsty Liquor claimed a 35-25 win over Pukekohe in Massey Cup U21 play. Manurewa Barfoot & Thompson beat Karaka 39-18 while Patumahoe CLM Construction hammered Waiuku 61-16.

In U85kg action Onewhero secured a crucial win over Beachlands-Maraetai – scoring a 21-8 victory. Patumahoe blanked Waiuku 31-0 while Karaka beat Bombay 30-0.

Papakura beat Grammar TEC 46-12 in Women’s Premier action while Patumahoe Searle Group went down to College Rifles 49-14 in the 10-a-side competition.