News

A victory double at Navigation Homes Stadium in Pukekohe was the highlight of the latest round of Counties Manukau Rugby representative fixtures.

The PIC Steelers exploded to life with a very impressive first half against Manawatu before going on to claim a 41-33 victory to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.

Earlier the Bayleys Counties Manukau Bs secured a gritty 19-14 win over Taranaki.

Jeremy Clark’s side had some hurdles to overcome along the way – winger Lesa Sapau suffering a horrific ankle injury that saw him transported to hospital – while the side had to ferociously defend their own line late in the game.

A report coming through late on Saturday said Sapau, who has enjoyed a superb season with club side Patumahoe and then in his first taste of rep rugby, was in good spirits and awaiting surgery.

The Union wishes him well with his recovery.

The Counties Manukau U19s enjoyed a 41-19 win over the Waikato U21 divisional side in a non-competition fixture that served as the curtain-raiser to the Auckland v Waikato NPC game while the Counties Manukau U85kg side lost a tightly fought affair with North Harbour 32-24.

The U18 Boys picked up a 19-10 win over Bay of Plenty while the U18 Girls suffered a 51-0 defeat at the hands of Bay of Plenty.

The U16 Girls fell to Northland 55-5.