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Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel took bragging honours against neighbours and fierce rivals Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega with a 15-8 win in the wet at Patumahoe Domain.

The home side produced their best performance in a number of weeks to secure their top three position on the McNamara Cup table.

The win was based around a resolute defense that only conceded a try in the final minute of the game when the home side risked a long pass in search of a fourth-try bonus point and was picked off by a Pukekohe player.

Coach Reon Graham thought it was a big step up in performance after a run of indifferent form.

“Especially defensively, in the conditions and against Puke because Puke v Patty games always have that extra spice in them so good to get one against our neighbours,” Graham said.

“I think it probably is [their best defensive performance of the season] – it is right up there. They scored the try at the end which came from an intercept so our defense held them out the entire game.”

The Patumahoe scrum was particularly dominant in the first half and drew special praise from Graham.

“It is good to have the Royal brothers and big James Tupou in there. They don’t get pushed around easily. Mark Royal has been really dominant all season.”

With Riley Hohepa still sidelined Brock Hooper had a standout game at first-five and Jonny Wilkinson looked sharp at fullback.

Four-time defending champions Bombay collected their fifth-straight win to move inside the top four for the first time this season. They proved too strong for Karaka in a close-fought match at Karaka Sports Complex – winning a repeat of last year’s championship final 27-21.

“There wasn’t much between the two teams to be fair,” Bombay coach Paul Wheeler said. “I just think our game management was a little bit better in the conditions.

“We turned around at halftime with the wind and we were only one point behind and the boys looked to build pressure territorial in the second half. We didn’t execute the plan that well at times but we are pretty happy to get the job done.

“We definitely had a plan to play it reasonably tight and at times the boys got a bit ahead of themselves and played too much rugby out of our end. We did enough to go to a tough place and win – it is hard to win there.”

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors kept their winning run going – picking up their ninth successive win 52-17 over Waiuku Brian James Contracting.

They racked up a number of tries in wet conditions including doubles to Solomona Paraki and Damon Leasausu.

It means Ardmore Marist remains well clear at the top of the standings and retains the Counties Power Cup.

Manurewa Kidd Contracting got back in the winner’s circle with a 38-17 win over Papakura Ray White at Mountfort Park.

It was a dangerous game for Manurewa with Papakura beating Karaka and pushing Patumahoe all the way last week.

“Papakura is a big side and looking at their last couple of performances we knew we were going to be in a battle,” Manurewa coach Jeremy Clark said.

“They scored a couple of tries at the back end of the game and to their credit they kept coming.

“I was really happy with how we counteracted what they brought to the game.”

Josh Tafili and Willie Tuala again crossed the try line to extend their gap at the top of the AS Wilcox Ltd leaderboard. Tafili’s brace takes him to 15 tries on the season while Tuala has 13.

“They are our two wingers so they are getting good ball and they are finishing off good touches,” Clark explained.

“They are playing really good football.”

Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical produced arguably the performance of the weekend with an impressive 35-17 win over top-of-the-table Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofing in Premier 2 action. Karaka, Ardmore Marist and Manurewa Wise Property Management also had wins in the grade.

Weymouth cracked triple digits in their big win over Karaka in Premier 3 action while Te Kauwhata also racked up a massive score in beating Puni. Drury beat Maramarua in the grade’s only close game this weekend.

Bombay took a vital win over Papakura Ray White in Massey Cup Under 21 play while Patumahoe Albycon Ltd proved too strong at home to Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group.

Pukekohe and Karaka collected wins in the Under 85kg competition.

McNamara Cup (Premier 1)

Manurewa Kidd Contracting 38

(Joshua Tafili 2, Logan Fonoti, Willie Tuala, William Raea, Pisi Leilua tries; Logan Fonoti 4 cons)

Papakura Ray White 17

(Saimone Setefano, Darryl Hemopo, Paul Wolfgramm tries; Patrick Palepua cons)

HT: 19-5

Karaka 21

(Kalione Hala, Cardiff Vaega, Walter Fifita tries; Kalione Hala 2 pens)

Bombay 27

(Ki Anufe, Patrick Masoe, Chay Mackwood tries; Ki Anufe 3 cons; Ki Anufe 2 pens)

HT: 11-10

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 15

(Nathan Linford, Tamati Fromm, Jonny Wilkinson tries)

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega 8

(Jamie King tries; Cody White pens)

HT: 15-3

Waiuku Brian James Contracting 17

(Joseph Gregory, Suetena Asomua, Vuga Tagicakibau tries; Karapani Togafau Aperila cons)

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors (Counties Power Cup Holders) 52

(Solomona Paraki 2, Damon Leasausu 2, Joseph Ikenasio, Sione Tuipulotu, Josephy Casey, Alesio Vili, Savelio Ropati tries;  Latiume Fosita cons)

HT: 0-25

Bob Chandler Memorial (Premier 2)

Manurewa Wise Property Management 43 Papakura Ray White 28; Karaka 40 Bombay 10; Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical 35 Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofing 17; Waiuku 14 Ardmore Marist 17

Sid Marshall Shield (Premier 3)

Maramarua 22 Drury 31; Karaka 10  Weymouth 100; Te Kauwhata 82 Puni 0

Massey Cup (U21)

Manurewa defaulted to Karaka; Papakura Ray White 15 Bombay 31; Patumahoe Albycon Ltd 22 Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group 17

Under 85kg:

Karaka 15 Onewhero Bottle’O Tuakau 0; Waiuku 6 Pukekohe 17

Women’s:  Papakura 32 Waitemata 19; Marist 29 Waiuku 12

First Grade: Manurewa 35 Manukau Rovers 44

1^st XV: Rosehill College 43 Hauraki Plains College 12; Manurewa HS 39 John Paul College 12