Rugby: Champions downed in Counties Manukau

Upsets dominated the first round of Counties Manukau club rugby.

Onewhero downed last year's champions, Pukekohe, 10-8 in a thriller.

With Onewhero down 5-8 with time up on the clock, halfback Harvey Flipp tapped a penalty in front of the post and set up Craig Pearson to cross in the corner for the winning try.

Youngsters Fraser Duncan, Blair and Craig Thomas made fine debuts in senior rugby.

Waiuku were most impressive in their 33-10 drubbing of Manurewa.

Manurewa had no answer to the forward domination of Waiuku. Locks Ramon Lindsay and PJ Winchester were inspiring in the pack, while midfielder Joe Kata, who ran in three tries, was a constant danger to the opposition.

The introduction of loose forward Pompi Lambert at halftime was the catalyst for Bombay in their 43-3 win over Patumahoe. Lambert led the charges up front while their backs had too much class for their opposition. First five-eighths David McRobbie was in fine touch as his 28-point tally suggested.

Rivals Ardmore Marist and Papakura played out an untidy match which Ardmore Marist won 25-18. Dwayne Grace's goalkicking was the difference in a game in which both teams scored three tries.