Auckland East Roller Mills have secured a fourth consecutive championship, with a 17-7 victory over Bay of Plenty in Taranaki over the weekend.

Four players from the championship winning team, along with one from Auckland West were named in the tournament team.

Read below match reports from the semi and finals

Auckland East vs. Northland (Semi Final 1)

Auckland East were first up playing the boys from the Far North. Northland had a big game the day before against Bay of Plenty so it would be interesting to see how the team would have recovered.

East started with some strong runs through the middle. Northland were equally as strong. A good break from centre Kobe Kay helped setup East’s first try in the corner. This was converted by Fullback Josiah Unga. 

East continued with their onslaught off the kick off when a player from the East team was binned for a dangerous tackle. East were up to the challenge however and were still able to dot down taking the gap out to 14 with only 14 men on the park. 

The pressure was still on off the kick off, when a miss read kick across field went into the wrong hands and Northland Winger Leon Jarret was too fast scoring under the post leaving the half time margin at seven. 
Not long into the second half East were back to 15 players and then eventually the flood gates opened. One try coming from a magnificent scrum move which saw captain Lima Enosa walk in a try.

Final Score: Auckland East 33 – Northland 7

Auckland West vs. Bay of Plenty (Semi Final 2)

Auckland West played off against a strong Bay of Plenty team for semi-final #2. Bay of Plenty coming in as favourites having placed first in section B and not dropping a game. 

The game started strong from the West trying to keep the Bay in their own 22. West’s forwards are very good over the ball. It was the boys from the Bay that crossed over first with a clean break from their midfielder Dawson Smith. Bay of Plenty continued the roll on and went into the half 19 – 0 ahead.

The second half was much the same, some lapses in the defensive line lead to tries for BOP, the West team never giving up putting a few phases together and eventually getting on the board with their own try and a ticket play of for third.

Final Score: Auckland West 7 – Bay of Plenty 31

Auckland West vs. Northland – 3rd & 4th

Auckland West took on the Northland team for third place. Both teams still licking wounds from their semi-final games the day before. Conditions weren’t great as it was slippery under foot. This meant teams would need to shorten passes and be more direct. Northland were first to score in the corner with a great counter attack and continued their onslaught running in three more tries before West were able to counter with a try of their own in the corner. Halftime saw the Taniwhas up 36 – 5. 

West looking to their bench for some well needed subs, but it has been a long week for all these boys. West scored early in the half which signalled a resurgence but it was not to be. West’s only having 19 players for their final game due to injuries took its toll and Northland ran away with game. Auckland West picking up the NRM Cup for fourth place. A marked improvement from fifth the year before.

Final Score Auckland West 12 – Northland 52

Auckland East vs. Bay of Plenty -  1st & 2nd on Yarrow #1

Auckland East met the Bay in the Roller Mills Final. The game was played on Yarrow Stadium and was a replay of the two finalists who met in 2015. 

East wanting to take it one step further by winning the title outright as the Roller Mills Shield was shared the year before. 

Auckland East starting off well using the full width of the field and their forwards carrying well through the middle. East eventually scoring first with a push over try to prop Brandon Breytenbach. The try converted by fullback Josiah Unga. 

There were some long patches of play, with East defending in their own 22 for long periods. Bay of Plenty put together some strong phases and asked some serious questions of East’s defence. 

Eventually the pressure was too much and first five-eighths Demetric Sifakula took a spell in the bin for a high tackle. The number game proving to much for east and Josese Vukataki scoring to level it all up at 7 all. 

Off the kick off, East maintained possession and passed the ball to eventually put second five-eighths Chicago Doyle in the corner. The try went unconverted so half time saw Auckland East up 12 – 7. 

The Second half was very much the same. Auckland trying to find space out wide for the backs to expose while Bay of Plenty tried rustling it up the middle with their forwards. East finding some room out wide and fast hands put in Logan Hunt in the corner. East holding out the boys and the score remaining unchanged.

Final Score: Auckland East 17 – Bay of Plenty 7. 

Congratulations to all the boys from both Auckland teams that went down to represent our province. A further congratulations to the following boys who were selected in the Roller Mills Tournament Team:
Lesalo Fetuani – Auckland East – Pakuranga Intermediate
Chicago Doyle – Auckland East – Kings School
Josiah Unga – Auckland East – Papatoetoe Intermediate
Kobe Kay – Auckland East – Sommerville Intermediate
Essendon Tuitupou – Auckland West

So locked away in the Auckland Rugby Trophy Cabinet for 2016:
The Roller Mills Shield – Auckland East – Winners of the Roller Mills Tournament
The NRM Cup for 4th Place – Auckland West – 4th place standing
Joe Anderson Memorial Cup – Auckland East – Most tries in section play
Vancouver Cup – Auckland East – Challenge Cup in section play

Well done to all those who took part and to all the parents and families that travelled down to support the teams. Auckland Rugby congratulate you all on your efforts this season.