SAS FOX MEMORIAL PREMIERSHIP
Mt Albert 22 Pt Chevalier 32
The Pirates maintained their unbeaten start to the season, running out 32-22 winners over Mt Albert at Mount Smart Stadium. The match, which was played as the curtain-raiser to the New Zealand Warriors’ NRL clash at the venue, saw both sides trade tries through the 80 minutes, but with Pt Chevalier always in front. Centre Francis Leger was a standout for the Pirates, scoring a try and lending a hand in setting up several others.
Papakura 4 Otahuhu 38
Otahuhu delivered a masterclass in attacking rugby league, leaving the Papakura Sea Eagles with no answer at Prince Edward Park. The Leopards scored twice inside the first 15 minutes, before blowing Papakura away with a handful of tries late in the first stanza, including two long-range efforts from wingers Setu Tu and Emeliano Mikaele. The match finished prematurely, called off with 12 minutes to play due to an injury to Papakura’s Tau Manuleli'A.
Howick 42 Marist 4
Thirty six unanswered points in the second half saw Howick clock a comfortable win over the Marist Saints. Up just 6-4 at the break, the Hornets turned it on in the second 40, with winger Lui Tusa scoring twice.
Mangere East 6 Glenora 26
The Glenora Bears made it seven wins on trot with a road win against Mangere East. The youthful Hawks started well, but Glenora still took a 16-0 lead to the break. Bears fullback Wyatt Rangi was instrumental in the result, while veteran hooker Zac Tippins worked tirelessly through the middle of the park.
Richmond 10 Northcote 52
The Northcote Tigers kept pace with the competition’s top four, disposing of Richmond on the road to make it three wins on the trot. Prolific winger James Waterson and captain Taylor Daniels were among the scorers for Northcote, while experienced centre Nalu Tuigamala was accurate off the boot, more often than not turning four points into six.
CROWN LIFT TRUCKS SHARMAN CUP
Mt Wellington 10 Ellerslie 40
The Ellerslie Eagles blew Mt Wellington away in the second half to register their fourth win of the year. Up 10-6 midway through the first half, Mt Wellington couldn’t foot it with the Eagles through the second. Experienced hooker Darin Kingi and captain Vili Li were standouts for Ellerslie.
Te Atatu 34 Manukau 14
Te Atatu finished comfortable winners in a fiery match, which saw five different players sent to the sin bin across the 80 minutes. Manukau scored first and were the superior team for much of the first half, but struggled to execute. English lock forward Conal Bevan got through a mountain of work in defence and carried the ball well for the Roosters in the win.
Papatoetoe 22 Manurewa 58
Four tries to halfback Cody Mahuika lifted Manurewa to a big win over south Auckland rivals Papatoetoe. The Marlins employed an open style of rugby league, with their playmakers leading the way. The victory was Manurewa’s second of the year.
Hibiscus Coast 20 Otara 32
Otara survived a second-half comeback to defeat the Hibiscus Coast on the road. At 26-0 up at the break, the Scorpions were cruising, but had no answer for much of what the Raiders threw at them in second. In the end the Scorpions rallied to hold on for a win which sneaks them back inside the top eight.
New Lynn 22 Northern 16
New Lynn won a thriller at Lawson Park, repelling a last-minute raid from Northern to pick up win number three for the year. The Stags started well, but periods of poor discipline gave Northern an avenue back into the game, and at one point it was the visitors who led by six points in the second half.
Pakuranga 32 Ponsonby 24
The Pakuanga Jaguars upset the Ponsonby Ponies to register their third win of the campaign. The Jaguars took a 20-point lead into the break, and despite a stirring second-half comeback from Ponsonby, held on to win at Ti Rakau Park.
Waitemata 12 Bay Roskill 34
The Vikings remain undefeated competition leaders, coming out triumphant in the west Auckland derby v Waitemata. Second-rower Justus Leoseve led the way for Bay Roskill, in a game where Waitemata matched last year's beaten grand finalists in a number of key areas.
