NZ club rugby round-up: Finals continue around the country

Above: Lincoln University being presented with the Hawkins Trophy today. Photo credit:  https://www.facebook.com/CanterburyCommunityRugby

The club rugby finals continued around the country this weekend, with several more champions crowned for 2016.

On Sunday, Lincoln University cruised to a 49-12 win over first round champions New Brighton to defend their Hawkins Trophy title. Lincoln led 14-12 at halftime after a New Brighton player was red carded for a dangerous tackle and the students put the afterburners on in the second half.

Marist Albion won the Plate, beating Univeristy 41-34, and High School Boys beat Shirley 40-19 to claim the Bowl.

Elsewhere, Old Boys Marist defeated Mid Northern 28-10 in the final of the Northland Southern Districts competiton and Suburbs earning a 12-9 win over Grammar TEC to annex this year’s Auckland Gallaher Shield.

In wet, difficult conditions, Suburbs scored two first half tries and led 12-6 at the interval, holding on a tense second half.

Waitemata won the Jubilee Cup final 32-13 over Marist, Eden defeated University to win the Portola Trophy and the Manukau Rovers beat Otahuhu to win the President’s Cup.

In the Bay of Plenty, Mt Maunganui Sports will meet Rangataua in the final of the Baywide competition, after Mt Maunganui Sports smoked Rotoiti in one semi-final and Rangataua defeated Tauranga Sports 24-16.

In Hawke’s Bay, first round winners Napier Old Boys Marist will play Taradale in next weekend’s Maddison Trophy final. NOBM defeated Havelock North 18-16 in one semi-final and Taradale edged Napier Pirate 25-22.

The Wellington Jubilee Cup final is next week between Marist St Pat’s and Tawa, after MSP defeated Oriental-Rongotai 24-3 in one semi-final and Tawa overcame Wainuiomata 16-10 in the other semi-final.

In several Heartland region finals, Waihou beat Waihi Athletic to win the Thames Valley McClinchy Cup, HSOB beat OBM 16-12 to win the Lee Brothers Shield in Poverty Bay, Greytown defeated Carterton 27-13 to claim the Wairarapa Bush Tui Cup, Paraparaumu beat Levin COB 20-10 to win the Horowhenua-Kapiti Ramsbottom Cup, Celtic beat Pleasant Point 16-10 to win the South Canterbury Hamersley Cup and Southern and Rakaia shared the Mid Canterbury Watters Cup after drawing 26-26.