Counties Power Senior Club Rugby
CMRFU Counties Power Club Rugby Round Up 2 July 2011
Pukekohe are now the McNamara Cup holders and champions of the Counties Power premier club rugby grade after beating Patumahoe 35-11 in the final at Bayer Growers Stadium.
In front of a 3000 strong crowd Pukekohe took the early lead with a Rob Dennison penalty. Sean Reidy evened it up with a Patumahoe penalty. Pukekohe started to show a bit of dominance and winger Sione Fifita scored the first of three tries down the left wing. Pukekohe were steady and wisely didn't let the occasion get to them, having been in the finals last year. Ill discipline resulted in Patumahoe being down to 14 men. Pukekohe slotted a few more penalties to add to the score giving Pukekohe the half time lead.
Pukekohe's Sione Fifita came across to the right wing and scored again after some sustain pressure close to the line. Patumahoe centre Bundellu Aki crossed the chalk to take the score to 19-11 and Patumahoe looked to be back in the hunt. Patumahoe seem to lose a bit of direction trying to play catch up rugby which they have proven during the season they are can do, however this was then hindered by Sione Fifita scoring out wide on the left hand side to complete his hat trick for the day. Pukekohe played sensible rugby guided by Kevin Farrell. Their No 8 Manoa Lesavua was a dominate force on the field and Rob Dennison's boot provided the keel for the ship bringing the side home with his extra points. Patumahoe's Kane Hancy was aggressive and zippy round the field and Richie Ah Chong showed on attack his pace is an asset. The celebrations started for Pukekohe as the whistle blew and Counties Power CEO Neil Simmonds presented the McNamara Cup to winning Captain Kevin Farrell.
In the Premier Reserve final Ardmore Marist claimed the Bob Chandler Memorial trophy when they became the 2011 champions after beating Karaka 37-11. Ardmore Marist had a bit more experience which seemed to be vital in the big occasion. In an exciting game Ardmore Marist put the nail in the coffin in the last ten minutes when they scored a few tries which blew the score up but until then the young Karaka side had battle valiantly.
In Division 2 Te Kauwhata had a try fest against Papakura Black when they won 61-17, and so did Papakura Red when they beat Maramarua 94-17. Te Kohanga and Puni had a close encounter with Te Kohanga edging out Puni 16-11 and Weymouth remain on the top of the table after beating Drury 27-7.
Bombay are still head of the table in the U21 division after beating Karaka 35-6. Pukekohe beat Papakura 21-13, Manurewa beat Waiuku 23-8 and Patumahoe and Ardmore Marist battled it out for a 23-all draw.
In the U19 division Karaka beat Papakura 24-15 to sit on the top of the table. Waiuku beat Ardmore Marist 29-5, Patumahoe beat Hauraki North 29-17 and Weymouth just edged out Pukekohe 13-12.
In the Women's semi-final Manurewa beat College Riffles 36-7.
2010 Winnners
Waiuku were the official holders of the McNamara Cup after beating Pukekohe 25-20 in the final of the Counties Power Club Rugby 2010.
Click here to view club rugby photos by Richard Spranger FPSNZ
Counties Power Senior Rugby Club Contacts
Club: Ardmore Marist - Walters Rd, Papakura
Contact: Robbie Burton Ph: 09 299 1849 or M: 027 292 5071
Club: Beachlands Maraetai - Te Puru Park, 254 Whitford Maraetai Rd
Contact: Conal Dempsey Ph: 021 967 629
Club: Bombay - Paparata Rd, Bombay
Contact: Anthony Stoppard M: 021 484 039
Club: Drury - Tui St, Drury
Contact: Graeme Jackson M: 021 031 7101
Club: Karaka - Blackbridge Rd, Karaka
Contact: Craig Hill M: 021 733 136
Club: Manurewa - Mountfort Park, Dr Pickering Ave
Contact: Andrew Talaimanu M: 0274 787 493
Club: Maramarua - 2222 State Highway 2 , Maramarua
Contact: Guy Platten M: 0274 876 426
Club: Onewhero - The Domain, Hall Rd, Onewhero
Contact: Dion Keppel M: 0275 742 900
Club: Papakura - Massey Park, Ron Keat Dr, Papakura
or Mansell Park, Marne Rd Papakura
Contact: Stix Mason M: 021 120 5422
Club: Patumahoe - Patumahoe Domain, Mauku Road, Patumahoe
Contact: Chris Brown M: 0274 886 309
Club: Pukekohe - Colin Lawrie Fields, Reynolds Rd, Pukekohe
Contact: John Hawthorne 09 238 7074 or 027 214 7074
Club: Puni - Attwells Rd, RD 3 Puni
Contact: Paul Paranihi M: 021 174 6414
Club: Te Kauwhata - Te Kauwhata Domain
Contact: Paul Hickey Ph: 07 826 7877
Club: Te Kohanga - Tuakau Bridge - Port Waikato Road, Te Kohanga
Contact: Chris Taylor M: 021 361 450
Club: Tuakau - Escotts Rd, Tuakau
Contact: Matthew Preston 09-236-8884
Club: Waiuku - 34 King St, Waiuku
Contact: Dale Loveridge M: 027 445 262
Club: Wesley RFC - Wesley College, Paerata Rd, Pukekohe
Contact: Chris Bean M: 0274 456302
Club: Weymouth - Gibbons Rd, Weymouth
Contact: Mike Tu'ua M: 0274 951 789
In what has arguable been the most interesting Premier competition in Counties Power club rugby for many years, the semi-finalist have been decided after a weekend of mud bath rugby.
With many club players in top form, the final decisions for Steelers positions will surely be causing coaches Milton Haig, Tana Umaga and Steve Jackson some good head aches. The remaining spots will be firmed up after the pre season match this coming Wednesday night against Waikato at Bayer Growers Stadium at 6.30pm. Tickets are $10 with kids U15 Free. Entrance is via the Grandstand only. After beating Hawkes Bay 40-24 last week this is a must watch match. The night also doubles as the Red, Black and White Old Boys Club reunion where all former Counties Manukau NPC players are openly invited to catch up with past players. Old boys must register at the Union to obtain their complimentary ticket by phoning 09 2370033 or emailing admin@steelers.co.nz. Season memberships are available now from the website or Union office and include entry into the pre-season match and club finals.
Next week semi-finals see Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega play Karaka at Pukekohe and Waiuku play Patumahoe Hotel Patumahoe at Waiuku next weekend. From here on in it is winner takes all as these four sides fight for a position in the Premier Club finals on 2 July at Bayer Growers Stadium.
Pukekohe gave Bombay their second nil defeat in a row when they beat them 61-0. Unfortunately for Bombay, after Pukekohe's loss last weekend, it was inevitable that Pukekohe were going to come out firing on all cylinders. Shortly after the first whistle Pukekohe started their try-fest with tries going to second-five Nigel Watson, lock William Crisp, starting half-back Kevin Farrell, replacement halfback Andrew Cameron, centre Sebastian Graham with both winger Peni Buakula and No 8 Manoa Lesavua scored two tries each and Rob Dennison converted eight of them during the match. Bombay had to use some of their reserve players who were having their second game for the day and they would have felt the effects of it in the tough conditions. The half time score was 33-0. Bombay bravely battled on to the end and would have been some what relieved when the final whistle blew to signal the end of their season.
Waiuku knew what was on the line and turned up big time securing the bonus point before the first half in their 48-19 win over South Auckland Motors Ardmore Marist. It was a disjointed performance from Ardmore Marist, who on paper are a good side, but have failed to really fire again after a few key injuries this season. As expected Waiuku dominated up front and their backs had one of their strongest performances all season keeping Ardmore Marist scoreless until after the break. Waiuku could have made the score line much bigger but they made mistakes with their loose play which they tightened up after the break when they had a 28-0 advantage. The try scorers for Waiuku were first-five Notise Tauafao, winger Joe Kata, loose forward Dominic Olson, second-five Sio Petelo and No 8 Eli Peters.
In the second half Ardmore Marist made the most of turned over balls from Waiuku errors to get them on the score board with prop Siua Halanukonuka, winger Lolohea Loco and hooker Cody Martin all crossing the chalk. Cody Martin put in a solid effort and Sikeli Nobu had a strong first half for the visitors. Ronald Raaymakers was back for Waiuku at flanker after recovering from a shoulder operation and showed his x-factor which made him a NZ U20 representative last year. Other stand-out players were halfback Heinie Fourie, Eli Peters and Grant Henson. Next week Waiuku will not have Simon Leamlu who has gone on international duty in the build up to the Rugby World Cup with Samoa, however that will not be too much an issue as his replacement Maka Tatafu has been in fine form.
Once again Onewhero Carters delivered a fright to a team capable of winning the premiership when they lost to Patumahoe-Patumahoe Hotel 15-7. Onewhero were reduced to 14 men after a late tackle resulted in a sin bin which Patumahoe capitalised on with handy, young, flanker Sean Reidy scoring. Patumahoe were camped on Onewhero's line for an extensive period but couldn't break it. Onewhero had their chances, however ill-discipline and mistakes cost them but their scrum did give Patumahoe trouble all day. At half time the score was 7-0. After the break Patumahoe got a penalty and Onewhero hit back rolling up the middle with prop/hooker Sean Bagshaw crashing over to pick up a converted try. Quick hands and numbers out wide, saw Patumahoe's winger Ritchie Ah Chong score a try in the corner to secure his side the win. First-five Kane Hancy showed his class and directed Patumahoe around the field brilliantly all day. The last game of the year on the hill provided some light hearted entertainment with one of the home side reserves streaking across the field much to the amusement of the crowd.
Manurewa are now the Counties Power Cup holders after beating Karaka 19-15 at a sodden and muddy Karaka Park. Manurewa played smarter and more committed rugby in the first half of their final match of the season. The visitors used the slippery ball more cleverly than the home side, who seemed to shy away from committing themselves in the mud. During a period of torrential rain Manurewa ran in two unanswered converted tries both of which eventuated from mounting pressure in the Karaka 22 and rumbling the ball forward before slipping through scrambling defence to score. Manurewa held on to the early 14-0 lead, setting Karaka the daunting task of playing catch up rugby in unfavorable conditions for their natural running game. Not long before the break, Karaka wing Willy Mateai surfed over in the flooded corner allowing for a 14-5 half time score.
This score remained the same until Tino Halalilo edged Karaka closer with a penalty goal, however a few minutes later Manurewa scored their third try, benefitting again from Karaka's unwillingness to secure the ball on the ground, chasing through and managing to get first touch on the ball as it floated like a beach ball over the line. Manurewa's try scorers were Ropeti Lemana, Darryl Wihapi, Joshua Levi. With five minutes to go, replacement No 8 Nick Connal showed his experience with some driving and sensible play, Karaka hooker Sione Anga'aealangi finished a strong game with a try with a burst to the line from a maul. Halalilo converted however the home side were unable to get back close enough to the line to prevent Manurewa finishing their season on a high. The battle between two talented open sides, Mark Selwyn and Jamie Gilbert Clark was a cracker with both showing some excellent work at the difficult breakdown area whilst Manurewa first-five controlled his back line and marshaled play around the field well. The Manurewa forwards were strong at the scrum whilst Seremaia Tagicakibau and Ross Turnbull in the Karaka mid field were heavily involved and played well in testing conditions for back play.
The Premier Reserve semi-finals have also been identified after this weekends round and it sees Karaka vs Bombay, at Karaka and Ardmore Marist vs Waiuku, at Ardmore Marist. After this weekend's matches Karaka finished on top after beating Manurewa 34-25. Waiuku beat Ardmore Marist 20-6, Bombay beat Pukekohe 19-3 and Pukekohe Pak N Save beat Onewhero Pak n Save 20-12.
In Division 2, Weymouth remains on top after beating Papakura Red in this weeks Counties Power Game of the Week and top of the table clash 19-0. The PGG Wrightson player o the day was Jack Tuala and the David Reid Homes Good Bugger of the week went to Ray Hapeta. In other matches Te Kauwhata beat Maramarua 36-13, Te Kohanga beat Papakura Black 56-5 and Manurewa defeated Puni 27-5. The division 2 semi-finals are on 6 August and the finals follow a week later.
Patumahoe still sit on the top of the table after a close encounter with Manurewa where they narrowly picked up a 9-7 win in the U21 grade. It was close in the rest of the games with Karaka just holding on to get a 21-20 victory against Papakura. Ardmore Marist edged out Pukekohe 8-3 and Bombay beat Waiuku 15-8. The U21 semi-finals are on 30 July followed by finals on 7 August.
The U19 division sees a change at the helm with Pukekohe now on top after their 41-6 win over Hauraki North. Patumahoe beat Waiuku 24-5, Weymouth beat Papakura 15-7 and Ardmore Marist and Onewhero battled it out which saw Ardmore Marist win 10-7. The semi-finals are on 6 August and the finals on 13 August.
For draws and results and semi-final kick off confirmations visit www.steelers.co.nz. Don't forget Steelers v Waikato pre-season at Bayer Growers Stadium this Wednesday night at 6.30pm
