With difficult weather conditions across the country, ranging from rain and cold in the South Island to high winds in the North Island, championship rugby across New Zealand was hard fought and compelling on Saturday.
The South Island bore the brunt of adverse weather, with testing conditions in Otago and Southland Premier rugby.
In wild weather, competition leaders Southern held on to beat University A 11-5 and maintain their grip on the top of the Otago Metropolitan standings. Harbour are still second after their 19-0 win over Zingari-Richmond, while Dunedin beat Alhambra-Union 7-5 in another hard fought match.
Further south, Pirates Old Boys defied the conditions to thrash previous Galbraith Shield frontrunners Star 48-6. In another one-sided rout, Marist surged to the top of the table with a 69-5 win over Midlands.
At the top of the South Island, Wanderers have won the 2015 Tasman Trophy, beating Waimea Old Boys 15-11 in the final.
The opening weekend of the second round Christchurch Metro competition was a frolic for several teams. First round winners Lincoln University strode out to a 46-22 win over Christchurch, New Brighton overcame Sydenham 77-24 and Marist Albion defeated University 45-22. The closest result of the day was Linwood’s 13-12 win over Belfast in Section 2.
In Wellington, last year’s Jubilee Cup finalists, Hutt Old Boys Marist and Wainuiomata, are both 0 and 2 after their opening two championship matches. Going by recent history and the need to win early games, both sides’ chances are probably shot. At the other end of the table, Tawa, Ories and Old Boys University have won their first two Jubilee Cup games.
In Manawatu, leaders College Old Boys suffered a one-point loss to Kia Toa in their top-of-the-table meeting. Kia Toa won the clash 18-17, to now be in clear second place behind COB and ahead of third placed Old Boys Marist who defeated Linton 36-17.
Across in Taranaki, leaders New Plymouth Old Boys have officially booked a home semi-final with just two rounds to play before the semi-finals. NPOB defeated second placed Tukapa 34-12, who are a point ahead of third placed Spotswood who edged out strugglers Southern 13-5.
In the Hawke’s Bay, Hastings Rugby and Sports secured their third straight bonus point win to start the championship Maddison Trophy round, beating Central 58-19. First round Nash Cup winners Taradale slumped to their second straight loss, going down 10-16 to Napier Tech.
Otorohanga have skipped out a six-point lead at the top of the Waikato Premier club rugby standings, beating strugglers Te Awamatu Sports 26-7 and second placed Hamilton Marist losing to Fraser Tech 28-38. University have bridged the gap between second and third following their 33-19 win over Hautapu.
Leaders Tauranga Sports thrashed Rangataua 60-19 in the latest round of the Baywide Premier competition. In other one-sided results, Mount Maunganui defeated Waikite 78-8, Whakarewarewa overcame Opotiki 90-26 and second placed Te Puke beat Paroa 65-12. In the day’s closest match, Rotoiti edged Te Puna 27-25 to maintain third.
The Counties Manukau competition remains tight, with Karaka and Bombay shared for the lead and Pukekohe just behind them after their third round of McNamara Cup matches. Karaka and Bombay both eased to bonus point wins, while Pukekohe beat Patumahoe 25-19 in a tight affair. Fourth placed Ardmore Marist are still right in the mix following their important 17-15 win over Waiuku.
The Alan McEvoy Trophy second round in Auckland saw Grammar TEC defeat University 21-18 in the match of the round. In other matches, Manukau beat Papatoetoe 27-12, Pakuranga defeated Marist 22-10 and Waitemata beat Ponsonby 46-24.
Leaders Massey bounced back from their loss to Takapuna last week with a convincing 51-17 win over the Western Pioneers in their top-of-the-table North Harbour Premier clash. North Shore and Glenfield have joined Western in a three-way battle for the minor placings, with North Shore beating Northcote 49-3 and Glenfield knocking over Silverdale 18-12.
Mid Northern have joined Wellsford at the top of the Northland Southern Districts Premiers table, after Wellsford missed out to mid-table Otamatea 23-39 and Mid Northern defeated Hora Hora 32-26 in 10th round matches. In the Bay of Islands, leaders Kerikeri earned the biggest known win in NZ club rugby this weekend with a 108-14 win over Kaikohe.
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 some other club rugby competitions please see below (note of the results available as at Sunday morning):
Bay of Plenty Baywide Premier Tauranga Sports 60 vs Rangataua 19 Mount Maunganui 78 vs Waikite 8 Rotoiti 27 vs Te Puna 25 Whakarewarewa 90 vs Opotiki 26 Te Puke Sports 65 vs Paroa 12 Greerton Marist 43 vs Whakatane Marist 30
Counties Manukau McNamara Cup Bombay 48 – Onewhero 15 Karaka 41 – Manurewa 7 Patumahoe 19 – Pukekohe 25 Ardmore Marist 17 – Waiuku 15
Horowhenua-Kapiti Waikanae 18 – Paraparaumu 13 Foxton 36 – Levin Athletic 10 Levin College Old Boys 30 – Shannon 20
Manawatu Kia Toa 18 – College Old Boys 17 Old Boys Marist 36 – Linton Army 17 Feilding Old Boys Oroua 35 – Te Kawau 20 Feilding 73 – Freyburg 0
Northland Southern Districts Premiers Western Sharks 27 – Kamo 17 Mid Northern 32- Hora Hora 26 Old Boys Marist 26 – Mid Western 24 Otamatea 39 – Wellsford 23 Waiupu 39 – Hikurangi 16
Bay of Islands Premiers Kerikeri 108 – Kaikohe 14 Ohaeawai 43 – Kawakawa 18 Moerewa 82 – Okaihau 5 Kaeo 33 – Otiria 5
North Otago Excelsior 58 – Athletic Marist 28 Old Boys 62 – Valley 0 Kurow 48 – Maheno 19
Otago Southern:11-University:5 Harbour:19-Zingari-Richmond:0 Taieri:33-Kaikorai:13 Dunedin:7-Alhambra-Union:5 Pirates:31-Green Island:0
Southland Pirates Old Boys 48 – Star 6 Marist 69 – Midlands 5 Woodlands 33 – Blues 10 Eastern Northern Barbarians = Bye
Tasman Tasman Trophy final Wanderers 15 – Waimea Old Boys 11
Thames Valley Bay 7 – North 3 Waihou 21 – West 12 Cobras 41 – Waihi 3
Waikato University 33 – Hautapu 19 Melville 38 – Morrinsville Sports 10 Fraser Tech 38 – Hamilton Marist 28 Hamilton Old Boys 71 – United Matamata Sports 8 Otorohanga 26 – Te Awamutu Sports 7
Club Rugby | 14 June 2015 | Steven White