Declan O'Donnell scored as he continues his return to rugby. Photo / Photosport
Northland
(Premier)
Hikurangi 34 Otamatea 12
Mid Northern 22 Hora Hora 17
Kamo 27 Waipu 18
Wellsford 45 Mid-Western 16
Old Boys-Marist 26 Western Sharks 19
(North zone)
Kerikeri A 52 Kerikeri B 19
Awanui 46 Eastern 22
Kaikohe 36 Kaeo 26
Te Rarawa 48 Panguru 24
Ohaeawai/Okaihau 33 Kaitaia 22
(South zone)
Kaihu 74 Mangakahia 0
Pipiwai 51 Otiria 20
Moerewa/United Kawakawa Sports 62 Southern 5
Whangaruru beat City by default
North Harbour
Silverdale 41 Kumeu 29
North Shore 24 Northcote 23
Marist 19 Mahurangi 0
Massey 36 Glenfield 14
(Buck Shelford Shield)
East Coast Bays 22 Takapuna 21
Lewis Gjaltema will be disappointed about missing the cut for the New Zealand Under 20s, but the skilful former Orewa College halfback is doing the business for East Coast Bays.
He was in fine form as the club won the Buck Shelford Shield on Saturday, narrowly defeating Takapuna 22-21, thanks to a second half try after Takapuna led 18-17 at halftime. Wing Jona Tuitoga ran in a double, while Marty Swart scored a try and added three goals. North Harbour loose forward Kane Jacobson was among two Takapuna tryscorers.
Massey toasted 100 premier games for midfielder Niko Ratumaitavuki, who has also played eight times for North Harbour. He scored a try as his club dispatched Glenfield 36-14, and will be presented with his centurion's blazer after the Moire Park home game against Takapuna next Saturday.
Marist moved up to seventh position after a scrappy, but crucial, 19-0 victory over Mahurangi.
Silverdale put on the second half pressure to defeat Kumeu 41-29 for the Country Cup, Steven Hick scoring a brace and David McMurtrie contributing 16 points.
North Shore's resurgence continues with their second straight win, this time 24-23 over Northcote at Vauxhall Road. There was no bonus point but the four points will be priceless for Shore, who are sixth and keen to keep rising. They took their opportunities more than the visitors.
There is a five-way logjam at the top of the table, with just two competition points separating Massey at No 1 and Northcote at No 5. East Coast Bays will host Northcote this Saturday.
Auckland
Eden 60 Mt Wellington 12
College Rifles 60 Waitemata 8
University 29 Pakuranga 27
Otahuhu 16 East Tamaki 12
Grammar TEC 50 Marist 23
Manukau 27 Papatoetoe 23
Ponsonby 56 Waitakere City 0
As expected, Eden cast aside Mt Wellington 60-12 for their first win on the newly refurbished Gribblehirst Park turf, but they have bigger fish to fry.
They are poised in third position in Pool A, and probably need at least one more win to seal top eight, second round, qualification for the first time since 1987. The club is buoyant, and enjoyed a clean sweep of wins in the senior ranks, which augurs well for the 95th jubilee celebrations on Queen's Birthday, when the premiers are hoping to host a top club in the top eight. A trip to Suburbs next weekend will offer a gauge as to just where they are placed.
Eden took at least 20 minutes to subdue a physical Mt Wellington, but then the floodgates opened with five tries before the break, two to fullback Max Leanna, who ran a nice angle to cross between the uprights for the first and then sliced through on a solo run for the second. They extended the halftime lead of 36-0 as first five Rodrigo Costa fired out some telling long passes, while his brother, halfback Ignacio, ran in a hat-trick. In the pack, there were willing workers in Auckland hooker, captain Blake Hill, lock Jorge Asi, both of whom scored tries, and loose forwards Stuart Taavao, Tevita Kalekale and man of the match Taniela Napa'a.
College Rifles put the hammer down on Waitemata, crushing the westerners 60-8 via nine tries. There were doubles to Pasqualle Dunn, Lolohea Loco and Hayden Edwards, while Otu Mausia contributed 18 points.
Manukau Rovers recorded their first win, a tight 27-23 win over Papatoetoe, Auckland loosie Josh Kaifa crossing for a brace.
In Pool B, a last gasp converted try by University saw them edge Pakuranga at Bell Park. Loose forward Antonio Kirikiri drove over from a quick tap, while Tyrone Elkington-MacDonald added the extras for the win, as he did for NZ Universities last weekend in Hamilton. Pakuranga did pick up two crucial bonus points.
First five Tupu Tavae scored all the points for Otahuhu in their 16-12 result over East Tamaki, while Grammar TEC finally cranked into top gear to defeat struggling Marist 50-23, Harry Plummer adding 20 points with the boot.
Ponsonby blanked Waitakere City 56-0, with Pryor Collier scoring 18 points and Blues wing Declan O'Donnell a try on his return from injury. - Campbell Burnes
Counties Manukau
(McNamara Cup)
Bombay 38 Te Kauwhata 20
Onewhero 17 Pukekohe 13
Karaka 93 Papakura 5
Patumahoe 26 Ardmore-Marist 24
Manurewa 31 Waiuku 17
Patumahoe have taken out the first round and consolidated their position atop the standings thanks to a nail-biting 26-24 home win over Ardmore Marist.
A mid-range penalty attempt with time elapsed could have seen the visitors steal victory but the kick sailed wide and Jeff Maka's side celebrated a job well done. Representative forwards Fotu Lokotui and Joe Royal led the way with strong performances while the class of midfield back Sam Furniss was again at the forefront of everything Patumahoe did.
First five Jonny Wilkinson had 16 points, which proved decisive, to join his Ardmore Marist counterpart Solomona Paraki at the top of the leader board on 84 points for the season.
Experienced halfback Shae Furniss was heavily involved on an emotional day for Patumahoe. His grandmother and respected member of the local community passed away in the lead-up to the game. The win comes at a cost for Patumahoe, however, with skipper Tamati Fromm picking up a knee injury, while outside back Harley Jenkins pulled up with a hamstring injury. Ardmore Marist actually outscored the victors four tries to two, but the boot of Wilkinson was too accurate.
A strong start saw Manurewa beat Waiuku 31-17 on Pat Walsh Memorial Day. Among their five tryscorers was Steelers loose forward Viliami Taulani. Irwin Finau scored a double for Waiuku.
Bombay finished the first round a solitary point behind Patumahoe after a 38-20 win over Te Kauwhata. The visitors raced out to an early advantage and took a 33-6 lead into the break but lost their way in the second spell as Te Kauwhata fought back. Faafouina Loau scored a hat-trick for Bombay.
Onewhero finished the first round with a flourish via an impressive 17-13 win, their third straight, over Pukekohe. It means Onewhero are clear in fifth place and will look to continue that momentum into the second round.
Karaka's 93-5 thrashing of Papakura saw 15 tries scored with three debutants in the ranks.
Kali Hala ran in a hat-trick, while four others recorded doubles, and Cardiff Vaega scored 19 points, including 14 off the tee.
Thames Valley
(Silcock Shield)
Hauraki North 31 Paeroa West 14
Mercury Bay 22 Waihou 17
Cobras 15 Waihi Athletic 12
Thames 26 Whangamata 14
Bay of Plenty
(Baywide premier)
Rotoiti 23 Arataki 20
Tauranga Sports 19 Mt Maunganui 17
Rangataua 71 Whakarewarewa 10
Te Puke Sports 38 Poroporo 14
Te Puna 33 Paroa 22
Greerton Marist 62 Whakatane Marist 22
Waikato
Otorohanga 40 Fraser Tech 30
Hamilton Old Boys 18 Hamilton Marist 17
University 51 Southern United 12
Hautapu 32 United Matamata Sports 16
King Country
Taupo Sports A 27 Waitomo 16
Waitete 95 Taupo Sports B 0
Piopio 90 Kio Kio 0
Taumarunui Districts 45 Bush United 14
Taupo United 15 Tongariro 14
East Coast
Hikurangi 22 Waiapu 14
Uawa 24 Ruatoria City 21
Tokomaru United beat Tokararangi by default
TVC beat Tawhiti by default
Poverty Bay
Waikohu 85 Athletic 0
YMP 24 HSOB 23
OBM 29 Pirates 29
HSOB 24 Athletic 17
Hawke's Bay
(Tui Nash Cup)
Napier Old Boys-Marist 31 Hastings Rugby and Sports 7
Central 41 Taradale 10
Napier Tech 78 MAC 26
Havelock North 21 Clive 17
Tamatea 11 Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports 10
Taranaki
Stratford-Eltham 16 Inglewood United 12
NPOB 22 Spotswood United 18
Tukapa 48 Clifton 12 Tukapa 48
Coastal 37 Southern 17
Wanganui
Border 35 Ngamatapouri 13
Marist 26 Taihape 23
Ruapehu 43 Kaierau 20
Pirates 76 Ratana 17
Manawatu
Varsity 34 Te Kawau 12
Old Boys-Marist 43 Freyberg 0
Feilding 21 Linton 17
Kia Toa 29 Feilding Old Boys-Oroua 23
Varsity were the big winners in round nine of the McDonald's Senior 1 competition.
They needed two points from their match against Te Kawau to claim the Jubilee Cup.
Rejuvenated by the return of the NZ Universities players, Varsity won 34-12 and claim maximum points, taking the Jubilee Cup in the process.
Feilding Old Boys-Oroua gave Kia Toa a fright up in Kimbolton. Whilst they lead at halftime, FOB-Oroua were always a chance to sneak home, however Kia Toa with too much power managed to get out of Kimbolton with the 29-23 victory.
Old Boys-Marist had a solid 43-0 win over Freyberg, the Freys looking good in patches and there will come a time where they will tip up one of the big teams. However, in this instance OBM had too much grunt up front.
Feilding Yellows v Linton was the most anticipated match of the round and at halftime when the scores were locked it looked to be all go for the final 40. However Yellows outlasted the soldiers to come away with a 21-17 victory.
Wairarapa-Bush
(Moose Kapene Cup)
Eketahuna 20 Gladstone 19
Greytown 29 Pioneer 7
Carterton 41 East Coast 18
Martinborough 35 Marist 33
Horowhenua Kapiti
Foxton 12 Rahui 8
Shannon 57 Athletic 8
College Old Boys 30 Waikanae 25
Paraparaumu 32 Wanderers 14
Wellington
(Swindale Shield)
Marist St Pat's 60 Avalon Wolves 10
Hutt Old Boys-Marist 26 Tawa 10
Old Boys-University 30 Northern United 7
Oriental Rongotai 41 Upper Hutt Rams 19
Wainuiomata 42 Paremata-Plimmerton 15
Poneke 30 Johnsonville 17
Petone 22 Wellington 6
Tasman
(Tasman Trophy)
Moutere 52 Wanderers 18
Waimea Old Boys 48 Central 35
Stoke 80 Harlequins 10
Nelson 51 East Coast 7
Renwick 50 Kahurangi 13
Waitohi 21 Marist 18
Buller
Country 39 Town 34
West Coast
(New Forrest Trophy)
Kiwi 70 Grey Valley 0
Wests 15 Blaketown 14
Marist 25 South Westland 14
Canterbury
(Metro)
Marist-Albion 27 Linwood 27
Burnside 25 Sumner 14
Lincoln University 51 HSOB 8
New Brighton 42 Belfast 7
University 31 Shirley 3
Christchurch 35 Sydenham 28
(Canterbury Country/Mid Canterbury)
Glenmark-Cheviot 46 Waihora 3
Prebbleton 39 Hornby 20
Burnham/Dunsandel/Irwell 35 Ohoka 14
Saracens 35 Celtic 32
Darfield 49 Hampstead 22
Rakaia 29 Methven 13
Southern 40 West Melton 29
Lincoln 34 Kaiapoi 20
Oxford 50 Rolleston 5
South Canterbury
(Hamersley Cup)
Celtic 33 Pleasant Point 15
Harlequins 40 Waimate 20
Temuka 60 Old Boys 12
MacKenzie 27 Geraldine 16
North Otago
Kurow 19 Maheno 11
Valley 27 Excelsior 24
Old Boys 39 Athletic 24
Otago
(Dunedin Metro)
Dunedin 24 University 14
Kaikorai 32 Southern 29
Taieri 21 Alhambra-Union 19
Zingari-Richmond 45 Green Island 34
(Central Otago)
No play due to duck shooting
(South Otago)
No play due to duck shooting
Southland
No play due to duck shooting
At their Mt Smart fortress, Auckland FC were mauled 4-0 by Western United