{"id":2384,"date":"2015-05-24T08:00:12","date_gmt":"2015-05-23T20:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=2384"},"modified":"2015-05-24T14:12:32","modified_gmt":"2015-05-24T02:12:32","slug":"new-zealand-club-rugby-round-up-23-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2015\/05\/24\/new-zealand-club-rugby-round-up-23-may\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand club rugby round-up 23 May"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Congratulations to Taradale in the Hawke\u2019s Bay,Massey in North Harbour and Karaka in Counties Manukau for winning their first round Premier club competitions on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Taradale won their ninth straight match of the season, 29-10 over Central, to finish eight points clear of second placed Napier Old Boys Marist. The second round Maddison Trophy starts on 30 May.<\/p>\n

Massey were held to a 3-3 draw by mid-table Takapuna, but still won the first round Buck Shield Shield ahead of second placed Western Pioneers who lost 25-27 to strugglers Silverdale who left it to week nine to record their first win of the season and deny the Western side.<\/p>\n

Karaka have won the first round Counties Manukau Challenge Cup, beating Waiuku 34-5, finishing ahead of second placed Ardmore Marist who defeated Weymouth 69-0 but had to rely on Karaka losing to take the first round title. The championship McNamara Cup starts next weekend.<\/p>\n

In Wellington, the first round Swindale Shield has been all but decided with Hutt Old Boys Marist beating Tawa 28-22 to skip 6 points clear of the field with a round to play. Tawa were previously stripped two points and have an appeal outcome waitng to see if they can take the competition into another week.<\/p>\n

In Auckland, Pakuranga (Blue Pool) and Grammar TEC (White Pool) have won their divisions, with the competition being split into two divisions from next week onwards.<\/p>\n

In Northland, leaders Wellsford and second placed Mid Northern drew 25-25 in the Southern Districts Premier competition. Third placed Mid-Western defeated Hora Hora 29-13 but the competition has closed right up now. It resumes on 6 June.<\/p>\n

Conditions were dire throughout the upper North Island on Saturday, and Fraser Tech and Te Awamutu Sports fought out a 0-0 draw. Meanwhile, in a top-of-the table clash, Otorohanaga defeated Hamilton Marist 12-7, while third placed Melville missed a chance to stay with the leaders after missing out to Hamilton Old Boys 22-13. Round 13 of 18 is next Saturday.<\/p>\n

In the Bay of Plenty, the Baywide Premier competition is heating up. Tauranga Sports are at the top of the table after their 40-10 win over Whakarewarewa. In two other close results, Rotoiti defeated Mt Maunganui 32-24 and Opotiki defeated Whakatane Marist 13-8.<\/p>\n

In Taranaki, New Plymouth Old Boys secured their eighth win in nine matches to take a decisive lead at the top of the standings, with four teams bunched together below them. NPOB beat lowly Stratford 41-5.<\/p>\n

College Old Boys\u2019 continue to set the pace in the Manawatu, defeating Varsity 39-14, after leading 20-0 at halftime.<\/p>\n

In the top of the South Island Tasman Trophy, four of the five matches were closely fought, with Wanderers defeating Moutere 17-15 and Kahurangi beating Central 15-13 key among them.<\/p>\n

In Christchurch, Lincoln University won the battle of the books with a big 45-25 win over Canterbury University. The win gives Lincoln a six-point lead the head of the standings with two weeks to go in the first round. New Brighton are second despite losing to fifth placed Christchurch in a 39-40 thriller.<\/p>\n

In North Otago, Excelsior beat Kurow 33-24 in a key Citizens Shield fixture, while Old Boys continue to lead after overcoming Maheno 90-0. Athletic Marist 43 beat Valley 17.<\/p>\n

In Dunedin Premier rugby, the intriguing three-way battle at the top of the table remains. Taieri, Harbour and Southern are all on 46 points after 11 rounds. Dunedin are fourth on 32. Taieri beat Green Island 43-17, Harbour overcame Varsity A 38-31 and Southern beat Pirates 49-29.<\/p>\n

In Southland, fifth placed Marist defeated defending champions Woodlands 38-8 in the notable result of the day.<\/p>\n

To view the news \/ results from our current Heartland Championship partners<\/strong><\/p>\n