Auckland Premier Rugby – Round 4

The first round back after the Easter break gave several teams an opportunity to make strides in their respective pools. Other teams however, would have wanted to continue on their impressive form from before the break as the final sprint for the Top 8 picks up speed.

Arguably, the match of the round was between College Rifles and Ponsonby in Remuera and neither side disappointed. Buoyed by their military history and ANZAC Day, the Riflemen were locked up with Ponies 13-all at the break. The reigning champions however, showed they were a class above on the day by cantering away to a comfortable victory by the final whistle.

The south-side fixture between East Tamaki and Papatoetoe saw the ‘Red Nation’ come away with a valuable victory that sees them on the cusp of a Top-4 berth in Pool A. East Tamaki were good value through the first 40 minutes, but were unable to keep pace in the second spell.

Waitemata and Pakuranga were both impressive at home in their wins over Otahuhu and Waitakere respectively. Both sides secured valuable bonus-point victories that firmly ensconce them within the Top 4 and well-placed for the Top 8 come the second round. Otahuhu and Waitakere look resigned to missing out on a Top 8 spot in 2019, but will still have plenty of silverware to play for in the second round.

Marist and Grammar TEC played out a fiercely fought match in Mt Wellington. The visitors would have fancied themselves from the opening whistle to claim yet another victory, but found Marist tough to crack with the home side running out deserved victors in a closely fought affair.

Eden were unable to continue their winning ways in the 2019 competition after being overcome by Suburbs away from home. Suburbs held a 13-0 advantage at the break and were able to hold-off a fast-finishing Eden side who had pulled it back to 16-14 by the final whistle with Suburbs second-half penalty proving the difference.

University look to have got their season back on track after a wobbly start with the win over Mt Wellington at Hamlin Park. The bonus-point victory away from home by no means secures them a spot in the second round and they’ll have to string together a few more to give themselves a shot at the big dance come the end of July. Mt Wellington have made major strides in 2019, and the second round should see them be in with a considerable shout at a trophy this season.

Te Papapa were unable to subdue Manukau at home, but made the visitors work hard for their victory. The second half saw very little wriggle room for either side with the majority of the points coming in the opening spell of the match.

In the Women’s fixtures, College Rifles made light work of East Coast Bays-Glenfield in the Friday night fixture to get their season back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats before the Easter break. The bonus-point victory was a well-deserved one at home and will serve as a platform for the rest of their season.

Marist remain unbeaten after their win over Eden in ideal conditions for their style of rugby. Fast paced out wide and strong up front meant Eden were on the back foot early on and no opportunity to recover.

The Fillies from Ponsonby were pushed all the way by Manurewa and it was the Counties-Manukau side who ended up walking away with the deserved victory. The two sides are looking likely semi-final candidates, so the battle is likely to be resumed again later in the season.

Premier Round 4 Results – Saturday 27 April 2019

Ponsonby 40 (J Cooper, W Reidlinger-Kapa 2, M Siliko, W Talataina-Mu tries, J Cooper 3 conv, J Cooper 3 pen)

College Rifles 20 (J Collins, J Skipps tries, Z Sullivan 2 conv, Z Sullivan 2 pen) Halftime: 13 - 13

Papatoetoe 69 (H Aiono, I Filifilia, F Havili, B Lemalufaitoaga, D Leuila, JP Ngatoko, L Palainipotoae, J Qaraniqio, W Silipa, M Tafili tries, B Lemalufaitoaga, JP Ngatoko, D Leuila 6 conv, B Lemalufaitoaga pen)

East Tamaki 13 (T Iosua try, T Iosua conv, T Iosua 2 pen) Halftime: 28 - 13

Waitemata 71 (M Fujisaki, J Matautia, C Moors 2, L Saena, J Simi, F Tavita, J Tofa-Va’a 2, J Tuivaiti  tries, J Matautia 6, G Tinei conv, pen try)

Otahuhu 8 (S Lauvao try, V Lama pen) Halftime: 24 - 8

Pakuranga 55 (S Fauoo 3, F Paea, S Williams 2, S Savea, H Ahokovi, P Petuliki tries, G Tainia 2, H Ahokovi 3 conv)

Waitakere 7 (M Auva’a try, A Savea conv) Halftime: 24 - 7

Marist 17 (P Fifita, J Ioane tries, O Polson 2 conv, O Polson pen)

Grammar TEC 15 (M Storm 5  pen) Halftime: 14 - 12

Suburbs 16 (D Halaholo, Z King tries, B Moyer 2 pen)

Eden 14 (O Faafou Soisoi, D Liaina tries, C Morgan 2 conv) Halftime: 13 - 0

University 53 (S Bishop, E Emosi, G Emosi, E Meleisea 2, H Miller, L Morel, R Patea Seve tries, H Miller 5 conv, H Miller pen)

Mt Wellington 17 (S Crichton, I Timusa tries, A Tapili 2 conv, A Tapili drop goal) Halftime: 43 - 3

Manukau 27 (D Rewi, T Ropati, J Vaimalu tries, M Pulu 3 conv, M Pulu 2 pen)

Te Papapa 17 (S Asi, N Namoa, T Katoa tries, S Asi conv) Halftime: 24 - 12

Premier Women’s

Ponsonby 26 vs Manurewa 32

Marist 67 vs Eden 7

College Rifles 43 vs ECB/Glenfield 6