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The Counties Manukau U85s gave the union something to cheer about over the weekend as they beat Waikato 25-17 at Fraser Tech Rugby Club in Hamilton.

The visitors trailed 12-8 at one stage but came back to claim victory.

“The boys put on a lot of work in the second half, and I am very happy we came away with the win,” said coach Semi Sitigata.

The Counties Manukau Heat Development side, playing immediately after watching the Counties Energy Heat thrash Hawke’s Bay at Navigation Homes Stadium on Saturday, claimed an impressive 58-20 win over Northland.

It has been a hard slog for the team, but they have improved week after week and can celebrate a job well done with that victory.

“Heading into the final game of the season we really put a big emphasis on the ladies just to relax and go out onto the park and throw the ball around and have some fun and put in a performance for our friends and family that we could be proud of,” said coach Cam Wilson. “Was really pleasing to see the forwards lay the platform early on, dominating the set piece and breakdown area which abled us to give our electric backline fast clean ball.

“Sandy Toiu and Malahnie Fanene-Lolo had massive work rates all game with ball in hand and on defence. Having the experienced Azania Watene at first-five to guide the team around the park really helped while Kataraina Enosa-Taifau was at her damaging best on attack and defence.

“Was pleasing to close out the season on such a high - the team thoroughly deserved it. We were a bit slow out of the blocks to start the season but credit to the ladies who kept turning up every week putting in the hard work.

“As a coaching group we all really enjoyed the season with this group. We had a fairly young squad with so much potential. It's going to be exciting watching them grow and move onto higher honours in the future.”

Counties Manukau Steelers Development side lost to Northland 24-19 at Waipu Rugby Club on Saturday.

The home side raced out to a 17-0 lead by halftime before the Counties Manukau Development coaching staff fired up their troops, who stormed back in the second spell.

The had two tries disallowed and had an attacking scrum on the Northland 22 at the end of the game before a free kick was awarded to their opponents.

“It was a bit of a hair pull,” coach Mike Tuiloma said. “We were our own worst enemies.

“We dominated everything but came away with no reward.”

The front row of Siate Taupaki, Mike Lea and Lionel Evans dominated every scrum while number eight TJ Meleisea was strong and provided great go-forward for his side.

Counties Manukau U19s went down to Bay of Plenty 15-7 at Tauranga Domain.

Bay of Plenty, with the wind first half, scored an early try after some really good continuity. They scored a second try soon after from a charge down kick that could've gone anywhere, however slammed straight into an unsuspecting BOP player, who ran over pretty much untouched for an early 12-0 lead.

Counties Manukau then really started to cause some damage with ball in hand and halfway through the first half Taeao Pomale-Time finished a try at the end of constant phase play pressure. Counties Manukau continued their dominance and were held up in goal after crashing over next to the sticks.

At halftime the home side held a 12-7 advantage.

Counties Manukau turned with a wind in the second half and it turned out to be a very even half. Counties Manukau had a chance to snatch the win 5-10mins from time, but again were held up in goal under the sticks. A late penalty made the game safe for Bay of Plenty.

Black (Work Hard) Player of the Day was Nathan Halliday while Red (Courage) Player of the Day went to Kafa Vaea.