National club rugby results

Manurewa, in green and white, crushed Te Kauwhata 60-8 in Counties Manukau premier club action. Photo/Richard Spranger

National club rugby results: July 2, 2016

Northland
(Southern Districts)
Mid Northern 27 Kamo 6
Old Boys-Marist 51 Western Sharks 10
Otamatea 78 Hikurangi 20
Wellsford 33 Mid-Western 27
Waipu 39 Hora Hora 30
(Bay of Islands)
Kaikohe 27 Ohaeawai 24
United Kawakawa 41 Otiria 20
Kerikeri 59 Okaihau 0
Moerewa 67 Kaeo 12
(Mangonui)
Panguru 34 Aupouri 5
Eastern 39 Kaitaia 5

North Harbour
(Second round)
Takapuna 27 Massey 19
North Shore 50 Marist 0
Glenfield 52 Mahurangi 7
East Coast Bays 39 Northcote 28
Silverdale 34 Western 25

The final round-robin day of the Premiership saw some key match-ups to determine the finals seedings, with Takapuna, who had dropped only one game all year, continuing to dominate with a commanding 27-19 win over second place Massey.

The result was well-earned and vindication for a team that puts a lot of emphasis on the basics. Jon Elrick slotted 17 points, taking his season tally to 147, the clear leader, and also marked his brother Nick's 150th game for the club.

The result drops Massey a place in the standings into a must-win match in the first round of the knockout finals format, after North Shore - previously third - made light of their challenge against Marist and nailed both the win (50-0) and the bonus point they knew they had to earn to be sure of securing second spot.

Both Takapuna and North Shore have earned the week off, and an automatic berth in the semifinals whilst those placed 3-6 will play knockout footy to determine the two other semifinalists.

The 4 v 5 match next Saturday will be a replay of the East Coast Bays v Northcote clash. It was a fine game played in perfect rugby conditions with Bays streaking away to a 28-12 lead at halftime and, while Northcote made some headway in the second half, Bays kept the scoreboard ticking over for the 39-28 win.

After a turbulent week out west, with Kumeu announcing it will be pulling out of the Western Pioneers partnership in order to field their own premier and reserve side next season, a demoralised Western side went into the final round fixture looking to salvage some pride and regain the Country Cup. The Pioneers started well and created many opportunities, converting three of them to be up 19-7 at halftime, with Nico Maybury scoring a brace. It took some time after the break before Silverdale got their game going as they slowly clawed their way back, Jamie Turner's hat-trick the highlight.

Glenfield hammered Mahurangi 52-7 to seal sixth position and an away trip to Massey for the playoffs.

Auckland
(Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield)
Grammar TEC 17 Pakuranga 7
Suburbs 35 Waitemata 32
Marist 32 Ponsonby 31
(Sir Fred Allen Memorial Challenge Cup)
College Rifles 45 Papatoetoe 10
(Portola Trophy)
University 20 Eden 11
Waitakere City 13 Manukau 12
Te Papapa-Onehunga 16 Mt Wellington 14
East Tamaki 46 Otahuhu 17

It was far from pretty, but Grammar TEC's 17-7 win over Pakuranga at Orakei Domain was like gold for the home side in the Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield standings.

Grammar TEC, who have struggled to hit the high notes of 2015, had to grind out the victory in a match marred by incessant scrums and scrum resets. But on the back of some sterling play by No 6 Scott Scrafton and elusive wing Kitione Taimani, aided by the boot and direction provided by Simon Hickey, in the unfamiliar second five position and back from his French club contract, Grammar TEC ultimately deserved their victory.

It was looking shaky in the early exchanges, with Pakuranga, led by Sam Thomas and James Lay, presenting a very solid scrum and Joe Edwards providing muscle in the loose, making the early play and scoring through former Auckland wing Aula Silipa. However, Pakuranga was profligate with possession and passed poorly in the backline. There was little chance for fullback Nick Smith to cut loose.

But Grammar TEC edged back, winning lineout ball from No 7 Robert Harris, jumping at two, while centre Otulea Katoa crashed over off a Michigan Lam offload. Taimani scored the only try of the second stanza from an 8-9-11 lefto scrum move after the set-piece had been shored up by the entry of two of the Tu'ungafasi clan.

Pakuranga should have secured at least a bonus point but, ignoring coach Pita Alatini's instructions, they spurned no less than three easy penalty shots as the clock wound down.

Elsewhere, College Rifles shrugged off some key injury concerns to defeat Papatoetoe 45-10 and thus annex the Sir Fred Allen Memorial Challenge Cup for the first time. Kurt Davies, normally a halfback, ran the cutter well at first five, scoring 15 points, including a try. Wing Sailosi Vatabua scored a brace as Papatoetoe were divested of the silverware in their first defence.

Marist upset Ponsonby 32-31 for their first win of the second round, Vaha Fili's hat-trick decisive. Ponies outscored Marist five tries to three, and still hold third place, but have now lost twice in a row.

Suburbs are at the top of the standings after winning their west Auckland derby, 35-32 over Waitemata. James Taufa scored a double, while captain Carl Perry kicked all five conversions. Wing Ed Fidow recorded a double for Waitemata.

In the Portola Trophy, University had their sternest test of the round before edging Eden 20-11, Waitakere City beat Manukau 13-12, and Te Papapa-Onehunga squeezed home 16-14 over Mt Wellington. Five tries to Wilson Silipa carried East Tamaki to a 46-17 victory over Otahuhu. - Campbell Burnes

Counties Manukau
(Second round)
Karaka 21 Patumahoe 9
Pukekohe 13 Bombay 10
Ardmore-Marist 18 Onewhero 11
Manurewa 60 Te Kauwhata 8
Waiuku 44 Papakura 13

Karaka continued on their winning way with a 21-9 victory over Patumahoe at Karaka Sports Park.

The first half was an arm-wrestle, with both sides given plenty of opportunities, but they couldn't finish off. Patumahoe went into halftime with a 6-3 lead, but Karaka, thanks to an injection of energy from the bench, scored three second half tries.

The likes of Avea Momoisea, Siulongoua Fotofili and Harry Fitzsimons were to the fore, while Karaka is expecting to be bolstered by the likes of returning internationals Kali Hala and Orbyn Leger (Under 20s).

At Colin Lawrie Fields, Counties Power Cup holders Pukekohe had a tight, 13-10, victory over Bombay. Pukekohe were mediocre in the first spell, but bounced back thanks to some fine Beau Birtwistle play and a double to Trent White.

Ardmore-Marist continued their strong charge towards the semifinals, picking up a crucial 18-11 victory over Onewhero at Bruce Pulman Park.

It was another big day for the Ardmore-Marist club, with prop Jeremiah Fatialofa playing his 100th premier game. Joe Ikenasio also had a milestone match, his blazer game. The home side had a slim 8-6 lead at halftime, before pulling clear.

At Mountfort Park, Manurewa proved too strong for Te Kauwhata, winning 60-8, after leading 22-8 at halftime.

Flanker and Samoa Sevens player Alamanda Motuga had an outstanding game for the home side, running in three tries, while Gene Te Amo, stalwart Mark Selwyn, Brandon Maihi, Joshua Levi, Shaun Kingi-Murray and Teisam Faimasasa all chimed in with a try each.

In the Counties Power game of the week, Waiuku beat Papakura 44-13 at Massey Park.
Waiuku got off to a slow start, with Papakura having most of the possession in the first 20 minutes. But Waiuku upped the ante, the forwards started to dominate and they were able to kick on. The five-eighths combination of Jack Hardie, who scored 19 points, and former NZ Under 20s rep Armyn Sanders, was fluent, with the latter setting up two tries. He was the AS Wilcox & Sons Limited player of the day, taking home a hefty vegetable pack.

Thames Valley
(Jordan Cup)
Hauraki North 34 Thames 31
Tairua 48 Paeroa West 3
Mercury Bay 18 Waihi Athletic 17
Waihou 37 Te Aroha COBRAS 17

Bay of Plenty
(Baywide)
Rangataua 22 Te Puke Sports 18
Mt Maunganui 23 Whakatane Marist 15
Tauranga Sports 46 Greerton Marist 7
Rotoiti 30 Te Puna 28

Waikato
Hamilton Marist 26 Hautapu 24
Melville 45 Morrinsville Sports 10
University 33 United Matamata Sports 25
Otorohanga 25 Fraser Tech 20
Hamilton Old Boys 50 Te Awamutu Sports 14

King Country
Waitomo 14 Waitete 10
Taupo Sports 64 Taupo United 14
Pio Pio 26 Taumarunui R & S 8
Kio Kio 40 Bush 5

East Coast
Hicks Bay 60 Tawhiti 0
TVC 26 Ruatoria City 12
Uawa 46 Waiapu 26
Tokomaru United 20 Tokararangi 6

Poverty Bay
HSOB 86 Pirates 0
OBM 60 Ngatapa 14
YMP 20 Waikohu 14

Hawke's Bay
(Maddison Trophy)
Napier Old Boys-Marist 29 Havelock North 20
Hastings Rugby and Sports 40 Napier Technical 32
MAC 28 Tamatea 26
Taradale 36 Central 15
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 39 Clive 22

Taranaki
Clifton 34 Stratford 31
Tukapa 37 Spotswood United 29
Coastal 42 Inglewood 24
NPOB 39 Southern 26

Wanganui
Border 43 Marist 18
Ruapehu 44 Kaierau 20
Taihape 66 Ratana 12
Utiku OB 38 Pirates 29

Manawatu
(Centennial Shield)
Te Kawau 55 Freyberg 12
College Old Boys 34 Varsity 24
Feilding Old Boys-Oroua 38 Linton 17
Old Boys-Marist 17 Kia Toa 14

College Old Boys secured the Centennial Shield yet again with a well-earned 34-24 victory over Varsity at Massey University.

It took Varsity 60 minutes to get into the game and by that time the horse had bolted with COB scoring four first half tries under the supervision of Otere Black at fullback. COB now have an untouchable lead and face Feilding Old Boys-Oroua next week to finish the round.

Elsewhere Old Boys-Marist held off a fast-finishing Kia Toa 17-14. Even with their main men back, Kia Toa couldn't combat the mud at Bill Brown Park, Ambrose Curtis being the main destroyer, scoring two tries and slotting a conversion.

Te Kawau's slim chance of making the playoffs have been dashed after the Kia Toa bonus point result. Although still a mathematical chance, it is unlikely that Te Kawau will exceed the Kia Toa points differential, however Te Kawau did their bit taking Freyberg out in the second half 55-12. The halftime score was just 7-0 before the second half deluge.

Finally FOB-Oroua got valuable points on the board to avoid the wooden spoon, beating Linton, who have a number of men on deployment. However, this should make the final round interesting for the Val Holland placings.

Horowhenua Kapiti
Paraparaumu 18 Levin College Old Boys 14
Waikanae 34 Athletic 16
Shannon 36 Levin Wanderers 16
Toa 30 Foxton 16

Wellington
(Jubilee Cup)
Tawa 27 Wainuiomata 15
Poneke 28 Marist St Pat's 22
Old Boys-University 36 Wellington 25
Upper Hutt Rams 46 Oriental-Rongotai 29
(Hardham Cup)
Petone 31 Avalon Wolves 26
Hutt Old Boys-Marist 23 Northern United 18
Paremata-Plimmerton 23 Old Boys-University 15
Marist St Pat's 29 Johnsonville 29

Tasman
(Nelson Bays)
Wanderers 32 Stoke 15
Waimea Old Boys 26 Kahurangi 23
Nelson 25 Marist 21
(Marlborough)
Waitohi 44 East Coast 12
Moutere 37 Renwick 31
Central 75 Harlequins 10

Buller
Semifinals
Ngakawau/Karamea 23 White Star 13
Westport 53 Reefton 17

West Coast
(Muir Trophy)
Marist 60 Grey Valley 7
Blaketown 23 South Westland 22
Kiwi 28 Wests 17

Canterbury
(Metro)
New Brighton 26 University 5
Sydenham 34 Christchurch 25
Lincoln University 45 Linwood 7
HSOB 63 Burnside 0
Sumner 43 Shirley 7
Marist Albion 28 Belfast 13
(North Canterbury)
Ohoka 32 Kaiapoi 20
Glenmark 40 Hurunui 8
Ashley 20 Saracens 13
(Ellesmere)
Waihora 52 West Melton 7
Burnham/Dunsandel/Irwell 15 Darfield 14
Rolleston 13 Hornby 8
Lincoln 43 Prebbleton 12

Mid Canterbury
(Watters Cup)
Rakaia 38 Celtic 28
Southern 68 Hampstead 22

South Canterbury
Celtic 39 Harlequins 3
Temuka 31 Old Boys 14
Waimate 28 Pleasant Point 20
Mackenzie 28 Geraldine 10

North Otago
Valley 17 Maheno 14
Athletic Marist 46 Kurow 28
Old Boys beat Excelsior by default

Otago
(Metro)
Kaikorai 30 Taieri 27
Alhambra-Union 41 Pirates 8
University 61 Zingari-Richmond 0
Dunedin 32 Green Island 19
Southern 23 Harbour 20

Southland
Pirates Old Boys 34 Marist 22
Star 38 Blues 32
Eastern-Northern Barbarians 20 Woodlands 10