The mid-point of the season is upon many competitions, with first round champions starting to be found over the next few weeks.
In the Hawke’s Bay, Taradale earned their eighth straight win yesterday with a 35-7 win over third placed Napier Pirates, to win the first round Nash Cup with next week’s ninth round to spare.
In Counties Manukau, the top eight for the second round McNamara Cup had already been decided heading into the final fortnight, with Karaka, Pukekohe, Bombay, Ardmore Marist, Waiuku, Onewhero, Patumahoe and Manurewa all making the cut. The first round title is yet to be decided however, with Karaka (44), Ardmore Marist (41) and Bombay (39) all still in contention heading into next week’s last round.
In Southland, Star remains in front after seven rounds, beating Edendale 53-21 in a crossover match. Down the table, Woodlands are now third after beating the Eastern-Northern Barbarians 18-5, Pirates Old Boys are second after beating Midlands 46-0, while Marist beat Blues 43-8.
In Dunedin. Southern, Taireri and Harbour are neck-and-neck on 41 points after 10 rounds, with Southern holding on to beat midtable Kaikorai 17-13, Taieri earning a bonus point 59-13 over Pirates and Harbour beating Dunedin 34-10.
In Christchurch Metro rugby Sydenham defeated New Brighton 28-27 – to see Lincoln University emerge as the only unbeaten team and go to the top of the table, Lincoln University beating Shirley 41-13.
In the Tasman Trophy, Waimea Old Boys maintained their grip at the top of the standings with a 78-17 win over Harlequins, while Wanderers defeated Central 47-24 in another key game that was played in Blenheim.
In Wellington, leaders Hutt Old Boys Marist (39) will meet Tawa (36) in next week’s penultimate round in a likely Swindale Shield deciding match. HOBM were shocked 50-28 by mid-table Poneke, while Tawa defeated neighbours Norths 38-8.
In the Manawatu, the second round of the season got underway with first round winners College Old Boys defeating Feilding 27-10 and Old Boys Marist beating Varsity 17-13 in another key result.
Across in Taranaki, New Plymouth Old Boys defeated lowly Clifton 41-13 to maintain their lead at the top of the standings at the start of the second round. Tukapa beat Inglewood 37-22 while Coastal beat Southern 34-26 and Spotswood saw off Stratford 32-25 in three close matches.
In Waikato, University thrashed previous leaders Hamilton Marist 56-15 in a big result. Second placed Melville also lost, going down 35-27 to lowly Te Awamatu Sports. These losses have seen Otorohanaga back at the top of the tale, after they defeated Hautapu 34-27.
In the Baywide Bay of Plenty competition, Tauranga Sports beat Te Puna 42-11 and Mt Maunganui defeated Opotiki 76-10 in two notable big wins. Whakarewarewa beat Greerton Marist 20-8 in another match.
In North Harbour, the Western Pioneers and Massey will be fighting it out to win the first round Buck Shelford Trophy next week. Western beat Glenfield 37-6 and Massey beat East Coast Bays 25-3. Next week, Massey plays mid-table Takapuna and Western meets second equal North Shore. In perhaps the lowest score of any Premier matches around New Zealand yesterday, Silverdale and Marist drew 3-3. With two scoring plays, a soccer reporter would be writing up the report of that match.
To view the news / results from our current Heartland Championship partners
- Wairarapa-Bush – http://waibush.co.nz
- Wanganui – http://wanganuirugby.co.nz
- West Coast – http://westcoastrfu.com
- Buller – http://bullerrugby.co.nz
- Mid Canterbury – http://midcanterburyrugby.co.nz
- East Coast – http://npec.co.nz
For a result wrap-up of other club rugby competitions please see below (note of the results available as at Sunday morning):
Bay of Plenty Baywide Premier Competition Round 3: Opotiki 10 vs Mt Maunganui 76 Rotoiti 6 vs Te Puke Sports 13 Te Puna 11 vs Tauranga Sports 42 Whakarewarewa 20 vs Greerton Marist 8 Waikite 21 vs Rangataua 45 Whakatane Marist 32 vs Paroa 22
Canterbury Country Division 1: Mid Canterbury – http://midcanterburyrugby.co.nz Rakaia 24 – Hornby 0 Lincoln 15 – Prebbleton 12 Oxford 21 – Southbridge 20 Glenmark 43 – West Melton 15 Glenmark 43 Celtic 27 Kaiapoi 24
Counties Manukau Challenge Cup (Premier) Te Kauwhata 26 – Papakura 19 Patumahoe 41 – Onewhero 22 Manurewa 70 – Drury 3 Ardmore Marist 19 – Pukekohe 16 Karaka 66 – Weymouth 0 Bombay 35 – Waiuku 10
Horowhenua-Kapiti Levin COB 20 – Athletic 10 Paraparaumu 64 – Foxton 14
Manawatu Old Boys Marist 17 – Varsity 13 College Old Boys 27 – Feilding 10 Kia Toa 27 – Te Kawau 20, . Feilding Old Boys Oroua 29 – Linton Army 22 Freyberg the bye.
Northland Southern Districts Premiers Wellsford 41 vs Horahora 22 Waipu 37 vs Otamatea 15 Western Sharks 19 vs Mid Northern 47 Hikurangi 15 vs Mid Western 39 Kamo 13 vs Old Boys Marist 45
North Otago (Round 7) Exelsior 33– Valley 20 Athletic Marist 29 – Maheno 15
Otago Southern 17 – Kaikorai 13 Harbour 34 – Dunedin 10 University A 31 – Alhambra-Union 16 Zingari-Richmond 28 – Green Island 17 Taieri 59 – Pirates 13
Southland Galbraith Shield Woodlands 18 – Eastern Northern Barbarians 5 Pirates Old Boys 46 – Midlands Marist 43 – Blues 8 Star 53 – Edendale 21 (crossover match)
Tasman Tasman Trophy Waitohi 78 – Stoke 0 Waimea 78 – Harlequins 17 Wanderers 47 – Central 24 Kahurangi 78 – Renwick 5 Moutere 27 – Nelson 26
Thames Valley Te Aroha COB 24 – Mercury Bay 16 Thames 27 – Waihi 8 Hauraki North 61 – Ngatea 3 Paeroa West 42 – Tairua 27
Waikato Fraser Tech 36 – United Matamata Sports 10 University 56 – Hamilton Marist 15 Te Awamutu Sports 35 – Melville 27 Morrinsville Sports 20 – Hamilton Old Boys 6 Otorohanga 34 – Hautapu 27