Auckland Premier Rugby – Men’s Round 4 & Women’s Round 3 Wrap-Up

POOL A

Manukau Rovers v College Rifles

College Rifles returned to winning ways in Round 4 after sharing the points in last week’s fixture against Papatoetoe. Manukau were the victim of a fast start from Rifles, which left the home side with too much to do in the second spell.

College Rifles 32 (H Gideon 3, H Edwards, L Manu tries, A Tuia 2 conv, A Somerset pen)

Manukau 12 (S Malakai Ofanoa, W Maka  tries, S Hafoka conv) Halftime: 24 - 5

Papatoetoe v Te Papapa-Onehunga

After sharing the spoils with College Rifles last week, Papatoetoe were in no mood to leave anything to chance against Te Papapa-Onehunga. The home side raced out to a sizeable lead at the end of the first spell and only accelerated coming out of the sheds for the second stanza to cruise home in comfortable fashion.

Papatoetoe 81 (P Tuaimalo, M Pauta 2, F Havili, B Lemalufaitoaga, J Qaraniqio, V Lolohea, A Samoa, J Latana 2, T Tepaea, L Faaui tries, B Lemalufaitoaga 6, D Leuila conv,  Penalty try)

Te Papapa 15 (M Taulahi, P Lausii tries, S Mafi conv, S Mafi pen) Halftime: 38 - 3

Suburbs v Mt Wellington

Mt Wellington will be glad to get out of West Auckland today after being on the end of a comprehensive display from the 2016 Gallaher Shield winners. Suburbs look to be finding some serious form as they look to position themselves nicely for a Top 4 berth in Pool A to see them into the Top 8 for the second round.

Suburbs 71 (E Lindermuth, T Yandall, L Schwencke 2, Z Tusialofa, P Cowley, C Perry, B Tuivai, I Hill, T Iakimo tries, C Perry 7 conv, Penalty try)

Mt Wellington 7 (A Tapili try, F Falemoe conv) Halftime: 26 - 0

Waitemata v Grammar TEC

Centurion Mario Ozich couldn’t have dreamt of a better result to celebrate bringing up the 100-game milestone with. The display from Waitemata was as comprehensive as they come, and with it against traditional powerhouses Grammar TEC, it would have been that much sweeter for the home side.

Waitemata 43 (G Tinei, A Tuitamai, P Hunapo, J Tofa Va’a, F Vakauta tries, K Siemsen 3 conv, K Siemsen 3, J Matautia pen)

Grammar TEC 12 (AJ Lam, T Vaega ties, M Lam conv) Halftime: 20 - 7

POOL B

University v Ponsonby

Ponsonby are showing true grit in this year’s competition. Grinding out a result against last year’s champions proves that Ponies are looking at mounting a serious challenge for the top prize in 2018. University will be disappointed succumbing at home to an arch-rival, but will look to bounce-back next week when they travel to Marist.

Ponsonby 28 (J Trainor 2, F Vaha’alolo 2 tries, W Faiane conv, W Faiane 2 pen)

University 25 (S Afoa, N Foster, A Morris, M Vulakoro tries, P Manuel-Harman conv, P Manuel-Harman pen) Halftime: 13 - 5

Pakuranga v Marist

Pakuranga are back in 2018 in a big way. Another bonus point win, this time over Marist, shows real improvement on last season. Marist will be disappointed to not have mounted more of a challenge as there hopes of claiming a Top 4 spot in Pool B will be put to the test when they host Varisty at home in the next round.

Pakuranga 47 (F Paea 2, R Van der Pol, N Osaka, W Rew, S Williams tries, H Ahokovi 4 conv,  H Ahokovi 3 pen)

Marist 13 (R Wright try, J Saena conv, J Saena 2 pen) Halftime: 17 - 13

Eden v Otahuhu

Another week and another win for Eden. The high-flyers in this year’s competition are showing no signs of slowing down in spite of a valiant effort from today’s challenger Otahuhu. Still playing away from their home base of Gribblehirst Park, Eden aren’t looking to slip-up as they look to have all but guaranteed a Top 8 berth for the second round.

Eden 55 (S Taavo 2, F Friconnett, D Liania, B Lam, B Hill, M Leanna 3 tries, M Leanna 5 conv)

Otahuhu 12 (J Va’atiuola, L Tiatia tries, M Pesamino conv) Halftime: 29 - 7

Waitakere v East Tamaki

Waitakere ground out a hard-fought win at home against today’s opponents, East Tamaki. The home side will have felt hard done by a couple of weeks ago after going down to Otahuhu late in the piece, but showed great mental fortitude to hold their nerve and claim their first win for 2018.

Waitakere 12 (A Savea, J Kolinisau tries, A Savea conv)

East Tamaki 3 (T Iosua pen) Halftime: 12 - 3

Premier Women

Marist v Glenfield

Marist are showing no signs of slowing down in 2018 and handed Glenfield a serious lesson in today’s match. With their biggest challengers to come next weekend in the form of College Rifles, the home side know they’ll have to be that much better if they’re to claim another win in Round 4.

Marist 58

Glenfield 0

Ponsonby v Manurewa

Manurewa showed their class in today’s win over Ponsonby. The Fillies would have been looking to mount more of a challenge at home against the Counties Manukau opposition, but were found to be wanting in a few areas that they’ll look to tidy-up before next week’s match.

Ponsonby 12

Manurewa 35

College Rifles v Eden

College Rifles were in no mood to muck about in today’s clash with Eden. The home side picked-up where they left off against Ponsonby last weekend with a comfortable victory against an Eden side still adjusting to the step-up in competition.

College Rifles 76

Eden 0

Ardmore Marist 25

East Coast Bays 27