Foxton stages huge upset beating COB 39-5

Foxton v COB at Easton Park on Saturday. Photos / Darryl Butler

Foxton sent a shot across the bow of the Horowhenua-Kāpiti club rugby competition with a huge win against College Old Boys at Easton Park at the weekend.

The home side ran in five tries in the convincing 39-5 win, with Shae Gray, Kurt Jackson, Michael Knight, Ropati Paleaae and Toroa Rapana crossing the chalk, and Arana Murphy added four conversions and a penalty.

Image 1 of 11: Foxton v COB at Easton Park

Foxton coach Waynne Napier said while the size of the scoreline might have been surprising, the potential of his young side was not.

Napier said Foxton had a very young backline made from players straight out of secondary school and they were showing plenty of promise.

"We just said: 'Go out and express yourselves'. It was very pleasing," he said.

Other players to stand out for Foxton were halfback Illisoni Rauhihi and lock Harry Mehana, who was making his senior club rugby debut.

The win put Foxton at the top of the points table after three rounds with 10 points, one ahead of Toa and Waikanae, although Rahui and College Old Boys still had a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Shannon and Paraparaumu were forced to share the spoils after their match ended in a 28-all draw at Shannon Domain with three tries, two conversions and three penalties apiece.

It was a last-minute penalty to Shannon first five-eighth Sean Pape that tied the match. Pape also scored a try, as did veteran prop Jarrod Rider and Zac Third. Paraparaumu's points came from tries to captain Ollie Barr, Connor Bishop and Leon Williams.

The match marked the 150th appearance for Paraparaumu for 32-year-old openside flanker Adam Thompson - no mean feat.

The other match of the round was also very tight with Toa winning by just one point against Rahui 24-23 at Te Atiawa Park.

SCOREBOARD:
At Easton Park: Foxton: 39 (S. Gray, K. Jackson, M. Knight, R. Paleaae, T. Rapana tries; A. Murphy 4 con, 2 pen) v College Old Boys: 5 (J. Tupai-Ui try).

At Shannon Domain: Shannon: 28 (S. Pape, J. Rider, Z. Third tries; S. Pape 2 con, 3 pen) v Paraparaumu: 28 (O. Barr, C. Bishop, L. Williams tries; S. McBride 2 con, 3 pen).

At Te Atiawa Park: Toa: 24 v Rahui: 23 (L. Marshall 2, T. Peneha tries; T. Manga con, 2 pen).