New Zealand Club Rugby round-up 9 April

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The weather is cooling, but the rugby isn't, as another round was played across New Zealand’s club rugby competitions yesterday. In several regions, the leading teams are starting to shine through, while the competition is super-tight in others.

Auckland completed its pre-season programme yesterday and it’s into it in earnest next weekend. If the season proper is anything like yesterday’s Waka Nathan Cup final, then Aucklanders will want to jump in their cars and follow all the action over the next five months.

Home side Pakuranga beat Waitemata 27-23 in the Waka Nathan Cup final, after trailing 15-23 with time almost up. But they roared in to score two tries on the death-knock to win the title. Suburbs defeated College Rifles 25-19 to win the Pollard Cup.

Across the bridge, North Shore and East Coast Bays have started their North Harbour Premier seasons with two bonus point wins. North Shore beat Western Pioneers 31-8 and ECB rolled Silverdale 35-17. Massey and Takapuna have both won their first two games as well.

There were two tight results in round four of Northland Southern Districts club rugby on Saturday, with Kamo and Mid Western drawing 22-22 and Horahora beating previous leaders Old Boys Marist 24-22. Little seperates the top half of the points table and this competition could prove to be another cracker.

Further south in Steelers country, Counties Power Cup holders Patumahoe eased past Te Kauwhata 59-5, while Pukekohe beat Manurewa 16-10 and Bombay beat Waiuku 26-13 in the two closest results of the day. Karaka defeated Ardmore Marist 46-24, with former Super Rugby player Cardiff Vaeaga crossing for two tries. Leaders Patumahoe are the only unbeaten side after five rounds of the Challenge Cup.

Hautapu are the Waikato Premier leaders after beating Otorohanga 42-31 in their top-of-the-table clash on Saturday. Hautapu blasted out to a big lead, before Otorohanga came back to close the deficit. Melville are now second on the standings, after beating Hamilton Old Boys 38-10, while Hamilton Marist edged out Fraser Tech 28-25, Tu'u Fale bagging a brace.

In Steamers territory in the Bay of Plenty Baywide competition, Tauranga Sports, Mt Maunganui and Whakatane Marist all made three from three to start to the 2016 season. Tauranga Sports beat Rangataua 20-5, Mount Maunganui defeated Greerton Marist in a close one and Whakatane Marist Overcame Arataki 26-5.

Napier Old Boys Marist and Clive have each won three from three so far in the Hawke's Bay, NOBM pipping Napier Pirate 18-15 and Clive defeating Taradale 17-5. In other close games, MAC and Hastings fought out a 30-30 draw and Havelock North edged Central 23-21 to register their first win of the season.

Round two of the Taranaki competition saw defending champions New Plymouth Old Boys' and Southern emerge as the only teams unbeaten after two rounds. Old Boys beat cross-town rivals Tukapa 36-14 in a closer contest than the scoreline suggests. Southern picked up their second win over Stratford 29-23 in a tight match at Victoria Park, with two late intercept tries to Southern the key difference to their win.  After a dominant display in the opening round, Clifton fell from grace going down to Coastal 53-3 in Okato, while Spotswood picked up their first win and a bonus point against Inglewood 36-33. They scored five tries to one in the second half after being down by a number of points.  

In Manawatu, frontrunners College Old Boys edged Old Boys Marist 21-16 in a key fifth round match. Defending champions COB led 21-6 at halftime and held on throughout the second 40 minutes. They are now unbeaten after four matches played. Rob Foreman scored two ties in Varsity’s 43-12 in over Freyberg, whilst another Turbo, Heiden Bedwell Curtis, scored a brace for Feilding Yellows in their tight 36-30 win over the Linton Lions. Kia Toa edged Te Kawau31-27 in another closely fought fixture.

In Wellington, Old Boys University are unbeaten after four rounds, but were made to work hard for their 17-6 win over unheralded Paremata-Plimmerton. Poneke sustained their first loss of the season, missing out to Norths 18-26, while Oriental-Rongtai defeated Wainuiomata 48-27 in a high scoring match. Petone and Hutt Old Marist were meeting for the famous McBain Shield on Sunday.

In Nelson, Wanderers are unbeaten after four rounds, easing to a 47-18 win over Stoke, while Marist beat Nelson 26-11 and Waimea Old Boys defeated Kahurangi 29-22 for their first win of the season. In Marlborough, Harlequins edged previously unbeaten Central 32-25, while Moutere moved to near the top of the standings with a 44-40 win over Renwick.

The second round of the Christchurch club competition was played on Saturday, with defending champions Lincoln University, New Brighton and Linwood all registering their second wins. Lincoln beat Sumner 39-21, New Brighton eased past Burnside 53-7 and Linwood overcame Shirley 28-24.

In Otago, Taieri made it three wins from three starts by beating Alhambra Union at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday afternoon. With scores locked 11 all at halftime, Taieri went ahead early in the second half by scoring two tries in six minutes to jump to a 23-11 lead which won them the game. The 42-26 win gaining them the Johnson Family Trophy and the Speight’s Challenge Shield.

In the early game at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Kaikorai beat Pirates 64-10 and University A defeated Southern 35-10 at Bathgate Park. Dunedin and Zingari Richmond met at Kettle Park with the Sharks taking a 79-7 win from the game and at Miller Park Harbour defeated Green Island 55-17.

The second round of the Southland Premier competition saw three tight results, Pirates-Old Boys defeated Woodlands 33-31, the Eastern-Northen Barbarians beat Blues 25-20 and Marist beat Star 16-11.