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Karaka continued their hot form to beat Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 37-18 at Karaka Sports Complex to lift the Counties Power Cup.

It was the fifth straight win for the home side, who move to the top of the Counties Manukau standings as a result, while it was the first time Patumahoe has tasted a loss in 2018.

“It was an excellent game of rugby,” Karaka coach Scott Penney said. “Patty came with a really good forward pack and really took it to us. They led at halftime, which was well-deserved.

“Our boys switched on a little bit in the second half and moved away from the set piece a little bit and just got a little bit of dominance towards the end.

“When it came down to it I think it came down to fitness in the end.”

Penney thinks Patumahoe will bounce back quickly.

“I don’t think that will be the end of Patty – I would say they will be at the top when we get to the business end of the competition.”

Reigning champions Bombay got back to winning ways with a 43-28 win over Papakura up the hill. The home side bagged six tries in the process while Papakura continued their improved performances this season, securing a four-try bonus point themselves.

“We are pretty frustrated more than anything else because we know we have been playing pretty well,” coach David Ross said. “We have been leading each of the games we’ve lost this year at halftime but we just seem to run out of steam in the second half. Whether that is a little luck here or there or injuries I’m not sure.

“So to get a win and actually play better in the second half than we did in the first is pretty pleasing.”

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega produced arguably their best performance of the season in beating Waiuku Brian James Contracting 35-19 at Colin Lawrie Fields to move back into a top four position on what is an extremely congested top half of the leaderboard.

“It was a good game. The first half was played at a pretty hectic pace,” Pukekohe coach Mark Price said.

“Waiuku came out fighting as they always do but I think credit to our boys – they absorbed a bit of pressure and got the job done.

“I thought it was one of the best performances of the season”

Price was particularly happy with his forward pack.

“I felt we had a bit of dominance in the scrum but the lineouts we really struggled. I thought our forward pack really stood up especially at the pace the game was played at.”

Manurewa Kidd Contracting piled on nine tries as they thumped Onewhero Silver Fern Marquees 57-5 at Onewhero Domain.

“I was happy with another solid performance. It all came together and we put a game plan to work against Onewhero.

“We did a bit of analysis in their game against Patumahoe and identified some channels to hit. The game plan to take the game out to our flanks worked a treat.”

Winger Willie Tuala scored another two tries to remain atop the AS Wilcox Ltd Leaderboard – he has scored eight tries this season and leads teammate Joshua Tafili by one score.

In Premier 2 action Manurewa Wish Property thrashed Onewhero Hinemoa Produce 52-7 while Bombay edged Papakura 26-22 in a close encounter. Karaka and Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical drew 15-all in a spirited match while Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofing took a 21-17 win over Waiuku.

Defending Premier 3 champions Weymouth hammered Karaka 73-0 while Maramarua edged Drury 12-8.

In Massey Cup Under 21 action Patumahoe Albycon Ltd, Pukekohe and Karaka enjoyed victories while in the Under 85kg grade Pukekohe, Papakura and Patumahoe Pak N Save claimed wins.

McNamara Cup (Premier 1)

Onewhero Silver Fern Marquees 5

(Sam Shuker tries)

Manurewa Kidd Contracting 57

(Gene Te Amo, Caleb Fa’alili, Sam Aiono, Willie Tuala 2, Joshua Tafili 3, Pisi Leilua, tries; Pisi Leilua 2, James Faiva 4 cons)

HT: 0-24

Bombay 43

(Ki Anufe, Alex Tuiloma, Rangatahi TeRangi, Sepuloni Taufa, Tulele Masoe, Liam Daniela tries; Ki Anufe 5 cons; Ki Anufe pens)

Papakura 28

(Meka Kupu, Dylan Leckner, Jimmy Tuifua, Faalae Peni tries; Faalae Peni 4 cons)

HT: 14-14

Karaka (Counties Power Cup Holders) 37

(Desma Liaina, Walter Fifita, Kalione Hala 2 tries; Juan Benadie 4 cons; Juan Benadie 3 pens)

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 18

(Nathan Linford, Shea Furnis, Tamati Fromm tries; Jonny Wilkinson pens)

HT: 10-13

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega 35

(Joshua Baverstock, Sione Fifita 3 tries; Cody White 3 cons; Cody White 3 pens)

Waiuku Brian James Contracting 19

(Lemeki Tulele, Nathan Millar, Tevta Halafihi tries; Christian Walker 2 cons)

HT: 9-7

Bob Chandler Memorial (Premier 2)

Onewhero Hinemoa Produce 7 Manurewa Wish Property 52; Bombay 26 Papakura 22; Karaka 15 Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical 15; Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofing 21 Waiuku 17

Sid Marshall Shield (Premier 3)

Weymouth 73 Karaka 0; Drury 8 Maramarua 12

Massey Cup (U21)

Pukekohe 17 Bombay 0; Papakura 16 Karaka 40; Patumahoe Albycon Ltd 34 Manurewa 7

Under 85kg:

Pukekohe 37 Bombay Lincoln Farms 0, Patumahoe Pak N Save 15 Onewhero 0; Papakura 13 Karaka 10