Massey's roller-coaster season got back on track, giving previous competition front-runners North Shore a lesson in second half rugby when they came back from a 10-point deficit at the turn to notch up a well-deserved 21-16 win. The game was a real arm-wrestle, with North Shore having the better of the first half, but with Massey coming home stronger with two good tries to their Harbour-contracted forwards Gerard Tuioti-Mariner and Chris Vui.
Glenfield showed they aren't done yet with a powerful 49-29 performance to beat Marist, spearheaded by the return of Blues midfielder Michael Little, who bagged two tries out of the seven. Marist, whilst never really troubling them, stayed in the contest, scoring some well-constructed tries of their own and keeping their side of the scoreboard ticking over.
The match marked a milestone for a number of Glenfield players. Connor Woodman played his blazer game (30), and a quartet their 50th games for the premiers: Alex King, Michael Little, Willy Unga and Michael Woodall.
Northcote continued on their merry way, notching their sixth win in a row - 27-13 over Western Pioneers - to be only one point behind Takapuna in the race for the front. Loose forward James Doyle had another strong game for the home side and was rewarded with two tries as Northcote raced out to a handy 20-3 lead and never looked threatened.
It was a similar story further north at Silverdale where the Seahawks gave their northern neighbours Mahurangi no look in, racing to a big first half lead, after which they strangely lost their way before registering a 33-17 victory. Raniera Takarangi scored a brace. Mahurangi, to their credit, kept hammering away at them crossing the chalk themselves and keeping the second half 7-7. The game featured the 150th game for Hoani Moore. Silverdale thus holds onto the Country Cup.
Auckland
(Blue pool)
Marist 57 Mt Wellington 8
University 35 Waitemata 31
Papatoetoe 42 Waitakere City 7
Suburbs 42 East Tamaki 15
(White pool)
Ponsonby 22 Pakuranga 15
Eden 36 Manukau 31
College Rifles 45 Grammar TEC 21
Te Papapa-Onehunga 39 Otahuhu 8
Marist are on the cusp of top eight qualification after dispatching Mt Wellington 57-8 at home on Saturday afternoon.
The Catholics lie second on the table in a very congested Blue pool and always looked likely to keep their neighbours winless with a dominant scrum and some impressive continuity and pace out wide. In doing so, they retained the Stan Stephens Memorial Shield, which used to be played for between Tamaki, now absorbed by Marist, and Mt Wellington.
Standouts for Marist included first five Jack Saena, who scored 17 points and looks a useful general. He is the nephew of former Manu Samoa five-eighths Filipo Saena, and is back with Marist after a stint with the Samoan Sevens on the world circuit. Fullback William Raea showed some nice touches too, while in the pack the likes of lock Chanel Tagaloa and loose forward and captain David Afamasaga were industrious.
Second five Enoka Muliufi ran hard and straight in midfield. There was a startling try to tighthead prop Sylvester Taupau, who showed a clean pair of heels in a 30m bolt for the tryline.
The Mt Wellington halves pairing of Fred Tavita and Dion Fraser looked useful, but starved of ball, though wing Kirby Tavita scored a late consolation try.
Elsewhere in the Blue pool, a hat-trick to wing Bruno Tuivai headlined Suburbs' 42-15 win over East Tamaki, leaving them still at the top of the log. Fullback D'Angelo Leuila scored a double in Papatoetoe's 42-7 defeat of Waitakere City. But the big result came at Waitemata Park, where the visitors University kept their second round hopes alive with a 35-31 result over the westerners. Auckland reps Kurt Eklund and Sinclair Dominikovich-Murray were among the tryscorers, but Waitemata did secure what could be a crucial two points to hold third position.
In the White pool, College Rifles remain unbeaten after a 45-21 win, their best of the season, over Grammar TEC, who have now lost two on the bounce. Wing Joseva Ravouvou ran in three tries for Rifles. Te Papapa-Onehunga picked up their second W of the season, 39-8 over Otahuhu, while Eden claimed their first, a merited 36-31 effort over Manukau at Williams Park.
Two tries to the talented Freedom Vaha'akolo helped Ponsonby to a 22-15 win over Pakuranga and with it the Sir Fred Allen Memorial Challenge Cup. - Campbell Burnes
Counties Manukau
(Challenge Cup)
Ardmore-Marist 43 Weymouth 7
Bombay 80 Te Kauwhata 28
Pukekohe 51 Patumahoe 24
Onewhero 57 Papakura 0
Karaka 65 Waiuku 12
Pukekohe poured on the heat in scoring seven tries to inflict a 51-24 defeat on Patumahoe in the penultimate round of Challenge Cup first round action.
Pukekohe led 27-14 at the halftime break before pulling away in the final quarter. The Adams brothers, Callum and Jarred, had strong games for the victors, as did Steelers hooker Gafatasi Su'a.
Ardmore Marist beat Weymouth 43-7, with first five Kirisome Laulala chalking up 18 points, including a try. New Zealand Under 20 halfback Jonathan Taumateine scored a try, but he will soon be away to the world champs.
Onewhero celebrated lock Kieran Whyte's 100th game in style, coming away with a 57-0 win over Papakura, which again featured a late pointscoring flurry. Blindside flanker Kaleb Foote took the player of the day prize, while first five Nathan Langsford scored 15 points in his comeback game from a hamstring injury.
Counties Power Cup holders Karaka picked up their ninth win of the season, defeating Waiuku 65-12. Prop Russell Coutts and lock John Fifita had fine games, and midfielder Cardiff Vaega and the bench were also to the fore.
Karaka hooker Sione Anga'aelangi scored a try, and he's also been named in the Tongan Pacific Nations Cup team for next month's internationals. Karaka ran in 11 tries, including doubles to Kali Hala and Liam Fitzsimons and a hat-trick to Siua Fotofili.
Fresh off the bye, Bombay ran in 12 tries to four in a 80-28 win over Te Kauwhata. Ki Anufe kicked 10 conversions, while Sepuloni Taufa and Aaron Smith both dotted down twice for Bombay, while Chiefs squad member Glen Fisiiahi also crossed the whitewash. For Te Kauwhata, Maake Vaimohea, Peter Vea, Suliasi Kaufusi and Waikato Maka all scored tries to secure a bonus point.
Thames Valley
(Silcock Shield)
Hauraki North 37 Mercury Bay 11
Paeroa West 25 Thames 23
Waihi Athletic 28 Te Aroha COBRAS 24
Waihou 27 Tairua 13
Bay of Plenty
(Baywide)
Mt Maunganui Sports 56 Paroa 7
Whakatane Marist 26 Te Puna 20
Greerton Marist 26 Rangataua 25
Tauranga Sports 40 Te Puke 15
Whakarewarewa 25 Arataki 23
Rotoiti 29 Opotiki 7
Waikato
Hamilton Marist 27 University 24
Melville 78 Te Awamutu Sports 14
Hamilton Old Boys 34 Hautapu 32
Otorohanga 55 Morrinsville 7
Fraser Tech 37 United Matamata Sports 31
King Country
Waitomo 58 Taupo Sports B 5 Waitomo 58
Kio Kio 27 Taumarunui Rugby and Sports 27
Taupo Sports A 29 Pio Pio 5
Taumarunui Districts 26 Tongariro 20
East Coast
Tokararangi 44 Hicks Bay 20
Hikurangi 22 Ruatoria City 22
Uawa 102 Tawhiti 0
Tokomaru Bay United 32 Waiapu 26
Poverty Bay
HSOB 20 YMP 8
Ngatapa 30 Waikohu 26
OBM 66 Pirates 36
Hawke's Bay
(Tui Nash Cup)
Hastings Rugby and Sports 19 Havelock North 13
Central 13 Tamatea 12
Taradale 33 Napier Technical 18
MAC 27 Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 20
Napier Old Boys-Marist 39 Clive 13
Taranaki
Tukapa 39 Spotswood United 15
NPOB 45 Southern 22
Coastal 20 Inglewood 17
Stratford 42 Clifton 40
Wanganui
Marist 36 Utiku OB 19
Border 39 Kaierau 25
Ruapehu 32 Ratana 10
Taihape 24 Pirates 12
Manawatu
(Centennial Cup)
Feilding 26 Varsity 13
Old Boys-Marist 41 Feilding Old Boys-Oroua 15
College Old Boys 50 Freyberg 16
Te Kawau 32 Linton 15
The Centennial Shield round of McDonald's senior one club rugby commenced with an interesting twist in place.
Senior one sides have adopted the new Mitre 10 Cup trial laws on the back of club coaches unanimously supporting the proposal put forward by Turbos coach Jeremy Cotter. Although there was expected to be some challenges with the changeover, the majority of clubs seemed to pick up the new rules, although there is still plenty of work to be done. One side to relish the opportunity was Feilding, led by Heiden Bedwell-Curtis in the forward pack. The Yellows were the better side against Varsity at adapting to the new laws. Varsity infringed too many times and were punished through the boot of Ben Wyness.
Elsewhere, OBM got back to winning ways accounting for FOB Oroua Stags without too many hassles as the Stags continue to battle away at the bottom of the table alongside Linton. A number of injuries to key players has been the major setback for the Stags.
Once they return the Stags will certainly be a much tougher side to beat.
Linton and Te Kawau was expected to be a close match-up from the outset, with Linton looking to make up for an ordinary first round and Te Kawau looking to edge further up the ladder and secure a spot in the top four. With the score close at halftime, Linton were hoping to sneak past Te Kawau, however a late flurry of tries pushed Te Kawau out to a 32-15 win. However the Varsity loss to Yellows certainly won't be what they were after.
COB accounted for Freyberg without too many hassles. Freyberg have a tough start to the round, however had the better of COB in the early stages. COB turned with the wind at their backs and clapped on the points in the second half, and with Freyberg missing some key men it was always a tough battle ahead of them.
Wairarapa-Bush
(Moose Kapene Cup)
Gladstone 23 Pioneer 17
Carterton 27 Eketahuna 10
Greytown 41 Marist 36
East Coast 24 Martinborough 16
Horowhenua Kapiti
Levin College Old Boys 70 Levin Wanderers 8
Paraparaumu 68 Toa 12
Athletic 16 Shannon 8
Waikanae 24 Foxton 18
Wellington
(Swindale Shield)
Paremata-Plimmerton 22 Johnsonville 8
Oriental-Rongotai 45 Hutt Old Boys-Marist 25
Upper Hutt Rams 36 Wainuiomata 29
Marist St Pat's 25 Petone 17
Northern United 36 Avalon Wolves 25
Wellington 35 Poneke 13
Old Boys-University 34 Tawa 33
Tasman
(Tasman Trophy)
Nelson 22 Moutere 20
Stoke 40 Central 17
Waitohi 61 Waimea Old Boys 32
Wanderers 44 Harlequins 25
Kahurangi 46 East Coast 20
Marist 48 Renwick 20
Buller
White Star 34-6 Ngakawau/Karamea
Westport 41-0 Reefton
West Coast
(Muir Trophy)
South Westland 34 Wests 7
Grey Valley 23 Blaketown 22
Kiwi beat Marist by default
Canterbury
(Metro)
Sumner 51 HSOB 22
Lincoln University 44 University 17
Linwood 34 Burnside 21
Christchurch 18 New Brighton 14
Sydenham 45 Shirley 17
Marist Albion 36 Belfast 14
Mid Canterbury/(Canterbury Country)
Lincoln 31 Methven 17
Burnham/Dunsandel/Irwell 41 Rolleston 0
Glenmark 27 Kaiapoi 24
Southbridge 48 Hampstead 24
Saracens 52 West Melton 10
Ashley 13 Waihora 14
Oxford 42 Southern 26
Rakaia 31 Ohoka 6
Darfield 36 Hornby 21
Celtic 62 Prebbleton 14
South Canterbury
Celtic 15 Mackenzie 6
Harlequins 57 Old Boys 17
Temuka 48 Waimate 19
Pleasant Point 52 Geraldine 17
North Otago
Athletic Marist 22 Maheno 11
Excelsior 13 Valley 11
Kurow beat Old Boys by default
Otago
(Metro)
Dunedin 58 Pirates 13
Alhambra-Union 41 Zingari-Richmond 32
Harbour 36 Taieri 22
University A 62 Kaikorai 17
Southern 28 Green Island 3
Southland
Eastern-Northern Barbarians 26 Blues 0
Pirates-Old Boys 18 Woodlands 18
Marist 25 Star 17