Papakura Ray White sprung the upset win of the season as they beat Bombay 31-24 at Massey Park on Saturday in round of unexpected results.
The previously bottom-of-the-table Papakura produced a strong second half showing to secure a four-try bonus point win. Dylan Watters bagged a hat-trick while Nui Wellington celebrated his 150th game for the club in style.
“Everything clicked for us on Saturday,” coach Shaun Clotworthy said. “It has probably been building to something like this – we have had some good, tight matches lately and didn’t go in with any expectations of beating Bombay because they are a good side but we knew we would be competitive.
“We fielded our strongest team of the season and everything has been building towards this and it fell into place.
“We played well and deserved to win. We held our own in the forwards. Our scrum has become solid, our line out was pretty good. We had a good solid platform everywhere and things clicked with our backs and defense went well.”
Karaka continued their strong run of form by beating Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega 24-15 at Colin Lawrie Fields to move into the top four for the first time this season.
The visitors also managed to collect a bonus point in the process while they prevented their opposition from achieving the same thing.
With other results going their way, Karaka proved the big movers of the weekend.
“We are still miles away from where we want to be but we are in control of our destiny, which is good so we just have to keep the boys going with positivity now,” coach Scott Penney said.
“I think our defense was huge. Territory and possession was all in favour of Puke but we managed a massive defensive effort from 1-15 and then the bench that came on did add that spark that we haven’t had in recent games for Karaka.
“We are still backing up the boys that are playing at 1pm and 2.45pm but that is life but the boys are realising that once they get on and take your chance look what you can do.”
Waiuku Brian James Contracting consigned Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel to their second successive loss in a close affair at Rugby Park. Waiuku claimed a 23-17 win having led 13-7 at the break.
“I guess it was one of those tight games between Waiuku and Patty,” coach Lawrence Lawrence said. “It was always going to be tight. We were just happy that we stuck to the game plan for the whole 80 minutes.
“And our defense, which was pretty poor in the first round, is really starting to come to the fore.”
Waiuku seemed no chance of making the semi-finals at the end of the first round but with a run of good results they find themselves with a little glimmer of hope.
“Mathematically but we are just looking at it week by week and then we will see at the end. If we can keep on winning games we will put ourselves in a position to do it,” Lawrence added.
The loss is a massive dent in Patumahoe’s chances of making the playoffs – they fell to sixth as a result of a second loss to sides out of semi-final contention.
Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors were the only side in the top heading into the weekend that managed to secure a victory. The defending McNamara Cup champions beat Onewhero Silver Fern Marquees 77-33 in a high-scoring game up the hill.
The visitors were missing a number of regular players so coach Doug Sanft was forced to promote a number of younger players and he was pleased with the result.
“Considering what we had I am really happy,” Sanft said. “I was really happy with the young ones stepping up. With Onewhero having a good win the week before we didn’t take them lightly.
“They took it to us – scoring two tries in the first 10 minutes so we had to grind it out.
“It was good to test the depth out and I am quite happy with where we are at with both teams – prem 1 and prem 2.”
Sailosi Vatubua scored two more tries to take his season tally to 17, where he sits atop the AS Wilcox Leaderboard.
Weymouth ensured the upsets weren’t just in Premier 1 as they beat Manurewa Wise Property Management 20-12 in Bob Chandler Memorial Premier 2 action. Elsewhere Bombay, Karaka and Patumahoe picked up wins.
Maramarua continued their strong form in Sid Marshall Premier 3 play as they defeated Onewhero 32-15 while Ardmore Marist thumped Puni 76-0.
Patumahoe Albycon Ltd and Manurewa Carter’s Tyre Service scored big wins in Massey Cup U21 play on Saturday. Patumahoe accounted for Waiuku 90-5 while Manurewa proved too good for Bombay 42-18.
Papakura, Pukekohe and Waiuku earned wins in the Under 85kg competition.
In women’s action Drury smashed Kumeu 100-5 while Patumahoe collected their second win of the season with a 27-15 win over Papakura. Manurewa beat Ardmore Marist 37-15 while Weymouth went down to College Rifles.
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