Auckland Premier Rugby – Men’s Round 3 & Women’s Round 2 Wrap-Up

POOL A

Papatoetoe v College Rifles

In what was arguably the match of the round, the result went all the way down to wire. Papatoetoe would have been looking to use this match as a yardstick for their progression in 2018 and would’ve been pleased to hold their own against an established force in College Rifles. Despite the weather, both sides managed to grab a four-try bonus point to ensure this clash was no bore draw.

College Rifles 31 (O Mausia 2, L Manu 2, L Ilohefaiva tries, S Pak 3 conv)

Papatoetoe 31 (J Qaraniqio, F Havili 3, V Lolohea tries, D Leuila 3 con) Halftime: 12 - 17

Mt Wellington v Waitemata

Mt Wellington can’t take a trick at the moment. Premier rugby can be harsh, and Waitemata were in no mood to relent as they hunt a Top 4 finish. Holding a sizeable first-half lead, the boys from out west were slowed in the second spell, but were still able to run out comfortable winners.

Waitemata 34 (J Klaver, M Ozich, B Savaiinaea, K Siemsen, F Vakauta, P Hunapo tries, K Siemsen 2 conv)

Mt Wellington 0 Halftime: 24 - 0

Te Papapa-Onehunga v Suburbs

Caleb Clarke was able to show his class in his comeback at club rugby level. He was arguably the polish in what was fine display by the 2016 Gallaher Shield champions. Te Papapa shouldn’t be disheartened as they look to continue to re-establish themselves in Premier rugby in 2018.

Suburbs 52 (E Lindermuth, B Tuivai, L Schwencke, B Moyer 2, C Clarke 2 tries, C Perry 5 conv, penalty try)

Te Papapa 10 (L Fotu try, S Mafi con, S Mafi pen) Halftime: 21 - 3

Grammar TEC v Manukau Rovers

Grammar TEC will be pleased to have come out of this one with a win and four-try bonus point to boot. Manukau were always going to be a tough test in these conditions, and their physicality in the tight spaces wasn’t quite enough to get over the top of the home side.

Grammar TEC 36 (S Samate, TJ Vaega, S Taufa, AJ Lam, T McCarthy tries, E Kennedy 2, S Taufa 2 conv, E Kennedy pen)

Manukau 19 (S Pia, S Hafoka, S Gaogao tries, S Hafoka 2 con) Halftime: 17 - 5

POOL B

Otahuhu v University

Otahuhu were right in this at the half. Locked at 5-all, this match could of gone either way. Varsity must of gotten a rocket in the sheds during the break as they steamrolled over the top of the home side in the second stanza to secure a bonus-point victory.

University 52 (M Megaw, M Olo-Whaanga, A Morris, T Latu 3, J Laurich 2 tries, H Miller 6 conv)

Otahuhu 5 (T Tave try) Halftime: 5 - 5

Waitakere v Pakuranga

It’s not often a front-row forward manages to dot down once let alone three times. Fatongia Paea was the beneficiary of a dominant Pakuranga performance away from home. Waitakere were unable to mount a serious challenge a week after a titanic struggle at home against Otahuhu.

Pakuranga 57 (F Paea 3, M McBeth, M Lagaaia, W Rew 2, J Samania, B Higgins tries, R Van der Pol 6 conv)

Waitakere 0 Halftime: 31 - 0

Ponsonby v Marist

Ponsonby seem to have that swagger of old back. They are building towards mounting a serious title challenge in 2018 and Marist were the unfortunate recipients on the end of a solid performance at home from Ponies. Marist will be looking for ways to unlock their exciting backline in the coming weeks to sneak into the Top 8 for the second round.

Ponsonby 29 (M Cocker-Filikitonga, P Tufuga, F Vaha’akolo, J Trainor tries, W Faiane 3 conv, W Faiane pen)

Marist 3 (J Saena pen) Halftime: 10 - 0

Eden v East Tamaki

The weather could have been a great leveler in this match, but East Tamaki were no match for an Eden side that shows no sign of letting-up in their pursuit of a Gallaher Shield. Holding a comfortable lead at the break, Eden never relented in the second spell, cruising to a comfortable victory in the wet.

Eden 47 (F Friconnet, B Lam 2, J Buchanan, S Livingston 2, B Hill tries, M Leanna, D Liaina 2 conv, M Leanna 2 pen)

East Tamaki 5 (T Hifo try) Halftime: 25 - 0

Premier Women

College Rifles v Ponsonby

College Rifles continue to show their class in the Premier competition. Club and provincial stalwart, Emma Jensen, continues to achieve milestones, bagging four tries in the match as the Thunderbirds ran out comfortable victors over a young Ponsonby side who will look to continue learning their trade at this level week-to-week.

College Rifles 50

Ponsonby 7

Eden v Marist

Last year’s champions showed Eden what this level of football is all about. This was a dominant display by Marist against an inexperienced Eden side who are still looking to find their feet at this level. In spite of the score-line, the home side will be better for the experience and will be looking to next week as they build toward a greater level of consistency in their play.

Marist 65

Eden 0

Manurewa 41

East Coast Bays 27

Ardmore Marist 47

Glenfield 24