The opening round of the 2019 Stan Meads Cup (SMC) on Saturday saw Central Bay of Plenty end a Te Awamutu-winning streak which had stood for five years.
In the battle to lift the Mid North Island Sub-Union Trophy Central Bay of Plenty started with a 38-31 win over the defending titleholders Te Awamutu.
Both sides scored five tries, with the difference being the Central Bay nailing all five conversions and adding a penalty goal for good measure. The first half was a genuine arm wrestle with Central holding a 10-7 advantage at halftime.
The game went right to the wire with the Rotorua region representatives holding on to provide the first upset of the SMC title race. The Central Bay win also broke Te Awamutu's vice-like grip on the Peace Cup (SMC Challenge Trophy) after the Waikato sub-union held on to the time-honoured rugby prize in 28 successive encounters.
Meanwhile, Hamilton also impressed with a battering of last season's beaten finalists Piako - a 55-10 win at Campbell Park in Morrinsville. The Waikato City representatives took control from early in the match and led 31-5 at the halftime break in play. The visitors ran in eight tries in their 45-point victory.
