It was, however, a gallant effort by a Glenfield side which has lost 16 players from last year's squad, including promising back Michael Little, who featured in last year's Harbour representative side. He has moved to Western Pioneers.
Massey and North Shore, last season's championship finalists, both began strongly with decisive wins over Western and Northcote respectively. Massey beat a depleted Western side 33-16 and would have won by more with better goalkicking. None of their six tries was converted.
Shore overcame a lively start by Northcote to take control of the second quarter and built on that despite playing into the breeze in the second spell for a 40-20 win. Shore fielded a dominant pack led by Josh Blucher, Jamie Hinchco and Brandon Nansen and had good value in the backs from wing Ben Stewart, with two tries, and in the five-eighths Sam Barton and Daniel Hilton-Jones. The latter, son of former representative flanker and prominent coach Russell, scored 15 points in his premier debut.
Surprise of the round was Silverdale's comfortable 30-6 win over Harbour's most successful club, Takapuna, while Marist battled early against Mahurangi before charging away in the second spell to win 26-8. Mahurangi, which have had few wins in recent years, led 3-0 at halftime and then scored the opening try early in the second spell.
Auckland
Ponsonby 16 Marist 14
Waitemata 52 Eden 7
Otahuhu 20 Maungarua 6
Pakuranga 21 Papatoetoe 15
College Rifles 29 Grammar-TEC 19
Manukau 31 East Tamaki 17
University 43 Suburbs 17
University gave clear evidence that it will be a contender in 2014 with an impressive 43-17 victory over Suburbs to highlight round one of the Alan McEvoy Memorial Shield.
In doing so, the students also retained the Sir Fred Allen Memorial Challenge Cup, won last season, its fourth tenure with this coveted trophy, competed for on a Ranfurly Shield-type basis.
After Suburbs had taken an early lead, Varsity blew the game open with three tries in a five-minute stanza either side of halftime. It was a niggly old affair, and Suburbs had to cop two men in the bin, one from each half. But it was Suburbs lock Michael Dixon who scored the opening try off a lineout drive before Varsity was able to exert control. Loose forwards Matt Matich and Mitch Karpik (two of three John Drake Memorial scholars on display) ruled the breakdown, while captain and lock James Stevenson got through a power of work.
In the backs, No 9 Sam McLennan combined well with Blues first five Chris Noakes, who slotted seven from 12 off the tee and controlled proceedings in calm fashion. His midfield of Kevin Fuavao and Liam Steele benefitted, constantly making yardage, and Varsity was able to keep counterattacking opportunities for Suburbs and Blues fullback Lolagi Visinia to a minimum. As the Suburbs pack tired, we saw less of the bruising ball running of No 8 Angsta Sae, and the game in fact finished with Golden Oldies scrums.
In other opening day action, Ponsonby was given a torrid time by Marist, winning 16-14, despite Marist scoring two tries to one. Perhaps the most significant result of the round was a 29-19 victory for College Rifles over Grammar-TEC, the new merger of the Grammar-Carlton and Teachers-Eastern clubs. Rifles No 10 Penaia Penaia was the star turn, scoring 19 points, including two tries.
Defending champs Pakuranga was also made to work hard, by Papatoetoe, eventually prevailing 21-15 thanks to a double by Auckland wing Ula Silipa.
Manukau Rovers started with a 31-17 win over south Auckland rivals East Tamaki, while Otahuhu defeated Maungarua 20-6, and Waitemata gave Eden a 52-7, nine-try, hammering.
Counties Manukau
Onewhero 44 Drury 13
Pukekohe 63 Te Kauwhata 0
Weymouth 19 Papakura 13
Patumahoe 30 Waiuku 19
Karaka 32 Manurewa 3
Bombay 36 Ardmore-Marist 7
The Counties Power Cup has its third home in as many weeks after Patumahoe's 30-19 victory over Waiuku. A poor showing by Waiuku with an unusually high error rate didn't help their cause turning over ball to Patumahoe on multiple occasions. Heading into the break 14-6 up, Patumahoe continued to exert pressure running out to a 22-6 lead at one stage.
In a surprise result, Ardmore Marists poor start to the season continued going down to Bombay 36-7. The defending champions are struggling after losing a large number of players from last season and currently sit ninth on the table. The bonus point victory to Bombay was built off strong momentum and a committed defence effort.
Weymouth scored their first victory of the season defeating Papakura 19-13. Although Papakura outscored Weymouth two tries to one, the boot of Tolvae Ape keep his teams score ticking over, finishing the game with four penalties and a conversion.
Onewhero secured a 44-13 win over Drury and in the process found themselves in the top four. A tight start to the game saw the scores level at 10 all before Onewhero ran in two further tries to take a 27-13 lead into the break. Poor discipline by Drury did not help their case with Onewhero finishing the game in comfortable style.
Pukekohe remain undefeated after running away with a 63-0 victory over Te Kauwhata. Pukekohe's Sione Fifita crossed the line for four tries finishing the game with 28 points.
Karaka remain top of the table after a convincing 32-3 win over Manurewa.
Thames Valley
Te Aroha COBRAS 92 Ngatea 10
Thames 14 Mercury Bay 5
Waihi 16 Hauraki North 3
Waihou 37 Paeroa West 10
Tairua 38 Whangamata 14
The Te Aroha Cobras made a bold statement about their prospects for the new season with a 92-10 demolition of Ngatea on Saturday in the opening round of Thames Valley club rugby.
The COBRAS ran riot from the outset of the match, moving the ball wide at every opportunity and running in 16 tries against their hosts. Captain and centre Reuben Leask featured in many of the side's attacking forays, while inside him both five-eighths Josh Turner (10) and Matt Hema (12) read play well and got their teammates running with the ball in hand at every opportunity.
Waihou and Tairua also managed good wins. Through the efforts of hooker Hayden Wasnewski and livewire flanker Gerrard Rouney in particular, Waihou dominated up front and secured most of the possession in their match against Paeroa West at Te Aroha and the side deserved their 37-10 winning margin. Tairua struggled for players early on this season and only confirmed their entry into the competition just last week, but the visitors managed to spoil Beach Hop day for the locals, getting home by 38-14 after trailing 14-13 at halftime.
Thames wing Anthony Murray scored two tries in his side's 14-5 away win against Mercury Bay. The match was a dour contest throughout, played on a very hard and dusty field.
In the fifth game, Waihi began their season playing disciplined rugby, controlling possession well and making few errors on the way to a 16-3 home win over Hauraki North.
Bay of Plenty
Mt Maunganui 36 Rangiuru 22
Opotiki 23 Te Puna 14
Te Puke Sports 28 Greerton Marist 19
Whakarewarewa 14 Rotoiti 6
Tauranga Sports 33 Rangataua 26
The clash of Rotorua archrivals Whakarewarewa and Rotoiti took centre stage on the opening day (29 March 2014) of the Baywide Premier rugby season, with the Rotorua Banner and the Tai Mitchell Shield also on the line at Rotoiti headquarters.
A first half forward battle was won by the big Rotoiti pack, with the home team taking a 3 nil advantage into the half time spell. Repeated Whaka attacks paid dividends in the second half with Daniel Ngawhika and Chanse Perham crossing for a try apiece. Whaka kicker Te Rangi Fraser converted both Whaka touchdowns, with Tyson Ripia slotting two penalty goals for the home side, with Whakarewarewa taking out the local derby 14-6.
Defending Baywide champions Tauranga Sports, ran in five tries on their way to defeating Rangataua 33-26, in an entertaining encounter at Te Ariki Park. Rangataua made the early running to lead 12-8 early in the game, however Tauranga Sports came back to take a 23-13 lead at the halfway stage. Tauranga Sports points came from tries awarded to Nick Evemy, Vince Cooney, Phillip Togotogorua, Hamish Gosling, Richard Murray with Geoff Berry slotting two penalties and a conversion.
Rangataua picked up two bonus points courtesy of four tries and finishing with eight points of the victors. The Rangataua touchdowns were scored by Ross Taurima, Hugo Cundy, Joseph Allen and Alex Jessop, with Jessop kicking three conversions.
In other Baywide premier season openers, Opotiki beat Te Puna 24-14, Mount Maunganui defeated premier newcomers Rangiuru in a fast paced match, with Te Puke Sports getting past Greerton Marist 24-19.
Waikato
Hamilton Old Boys 32 Hamilton Marist 13
Morrinsville Sports 20 Hautapu 17
Melville 35 Te Awamutu Sports 28
University 71 Te Rapa 0
Otorohanga 31 Fraser Tech 21
Hamilton Old Boys beat Hamilton Marist 32-13 at Marist Park on Saturday in the feature match in the second round of the Waikato premier club rugby competition.
However, it was the manner of the win rather than the final scoreline that was of most interest to local rugby die-hards. Old Boys controlled this match from the outset, winning the majority of possession, both at set plays and in the loose, and running the Marist side ragged. Old Boys led 32-3 at one stage before easing off the pressure in the second spell. In-form second five Jordan Cameron was a key attacking force for the winners and scored two of his side's four tries.
There was also interest in the match between Fraser-Tech and their Otorohanga hosts. In a very physical encounter, the home side withstood a lot of early pressure from Tech, then played the better rugby to win 31-21, outscoring their visitors four tries to three.
Te Rapa was again walloped, this week beaten 71-0, 11 tries to zip, by a rampant University side at St Andrew's Park.
The other two matches were both close encounters. Morrinsville beat Hautapu 20-17 at home, while Melville travelled to Te Awamutu and came away with a 35-28 win.
Results from other regions:
Northland
Old Boys-Marist 15 Mid-Western 15
Wellsford 20 Hora Hora 20
Kamo 38 Mid Northern 27
Western Sharks 40 Hikurangi 14
Otamatea 33 Waipu 26
East Coast
Hikurangi beat Uawa by default
TVC 19 Tawhiti 19
Tokomaru Bay United 28 Waiapu 19
Hicks Bay 13 Tokararangi 13
Poverty Bay
YMP 54 Horouta 15
HSOB 17 Wairoa Athletic 14
Ngatapa 25 OBM 10
Hawke's Bay
MAC 24 Napier Technical 3
Havelock North 88 Tamatea 10
Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 20 Clive 12
Taradale 27 Hastings Rugby and Sports 13
Napier Old Boys Marist 50 Central 12
Wanganui
Marist 34 Utiku OB 0
Pirates 25 Border 14
Taihape 51 Kaierau 36
Ratana 10 Ruapehu 3
Manawatu
College Old Boys 74 Kia Toa 21
Varsity 39 Old Boys-Marist 22
Feilding 58 Linton Army 0
Freyberg 24 Feilding Old Boys-Oroua 17
Horowhenua Kapiti
Shannon 23 Waikanae 14
Levin College Old Boys 20 Levin Wanderers 19
Paraparaumu 28 Athletic 17
Wellington
Marist St Pat's 25 Northern United 14
Tawa 50 Hutt Old Boys-Marist 14
Petone 28 Wellington 8
Upper Hutt Rams 22 Old Boys-University 8
Wainuiomata 13 Oriental-Rongotai 13
Poneke 15 Johnsonville 10
Tasman
(Nelson Bays)
Wanderers 65 Stoke 13
Waimea OB 17 Kahurangi 14
(Marlborough)
Harlequins 40 Moutere 31
Awatere 32 Renwick 21
Central 23 Waitohi 23
Buller
Ngakawau 46 Reefton 0
Old Boys 24 Westport 15
Mid Canterbury
Methven 25 Celtic 10
Rakaia 26 Southern 9
South Canterbury
Celtic 17 MacKenzie 10
Harlequins 37 Temuka 10
Waimate 42 Old Boys 12
Pleasant Point 29 Geraldine 15
North Otago
Excelsior 37 Maheno 31
Valley 26 Athletic-Marist 24
Old Boys 70 Kurow 17
Otago
Dunedin 48 University 25
Taieri 34 Zingari-Richmond 17
Southern 68 Green Island 0
Alhambra-Union 74 Pirates 10
Kaikorai 36 Harbour 10
Southland
Star 26 Woodlands 20
Eastern-Northern Barbarians 36 Midlands 6
Pirates-Old Boys 32 Blues 11
Marist 86 Riversdale 0.
- Compiled by Campbell Burnes.
