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A big Congratulations goes to Karaka who are the first round winners in the Challenge Cup Premier competition as well as the first round winners in the Don Shuker Cup Premier Reserves.

Wet and windy conditions played their part in yesterday’s Counties Power Senior Club rugby games, with teams struggling to adjust in what was the first real wet weather round of the season.

The Karaka Premier side, who are also the Counties Power Cup holders, came away with a 34-10 victory over a spirited Papakura Ray White side at Massey Park. Coach Craig Hill said the conditions were tough.

“It was the first wet game of the year and both teams struggled to adapt a little bit. It was a pretty error-ridden game. But credit to Papakura they harassed us and forced us into errors so they went well.”

Karaka led 10-5 at half time and they played into the wind in the first spell, so not a lot of rugby was played. There were plenty of errors and penalties, but it did flow a tad better in the second half.

First five-eighth Orbyn Leger had his first game back since being named in the New Zealand Under 20’s World Championship squad. He kicked two conversions and played well in what was his last game before flying out for the World Champs in the UK next week. Hill credited some of his young guys who stood up against Papakura.

“We had a number of young boys playing. Jonah Refiti at centre scored a couple of tries, as well as Walter Fifita on the wing, he nabbed a double as well. They are a couple of 19 year olds who went really well.”

Hill said they are interested to see how the new format plays out from next weekend.

“It will certainly create a bit more interest and everyone is gunning for those semi-final spots now. We are in a position to grab one of those if we play well.”

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In the Counties Power Game of the Week, Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega and Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters had a tight battle at Colin Lawrie Fields, with Pukekohe coming away with a 28-20 win.

It was a fairly even encounter with both sides scoring three tries. Maama Vaipulu, Gary Dalbeth and Mark Price scoring Pukekohe’s, while Richard Judd, Jackson Orr and Filipe Pau scoring Onewhero’s.

Pukekohe coaching coordinator Bruce Langsdown said the tight score was a true reflection of the game.

“It was very tight, three tries each and both teams certainly had their moments. Onewhero finished well and played to their strengths in the forwards and then when the rain came we struggled with that, but we also played well at times too. It was a good old hard slog in the end.”

Pukekohe had the services of Chiefs loose forward Maama Vaipulu for the first time this season, Langsdown said he was impressive.

“Maama is a quality player and any Super Rugby player who jumps back to club level you can see they are a class above the rest. But he was busy and scored a try, it was great to have him back and hopefully it’s not the last time this season.”

Big Pukekohe lock Cameron Skelton also went well yesterday. Langsdown thought it was his best game so far this season. He was busy and carried the ball strong.

Bombay Gough Cat won their big battle with Patumahoe Hotel on the hill. The home side picking up a 30-15 victory over one of their main rivals. Sepuloni Taufa ran in two tries for Bombay, while Kalolo Tuiloma also scored. Ki Anufu kicked three conversions and three penalties. For Patumahoe, Tamati Fromm and Harley Jenkins scored tries and Riley Hohepa kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Bombay only lead 13-10 at half time, so coach Jeff Marr was really happy with yesterday’s final result.

“We always knew they were going to be a stiff challenge, they always are. So in trying conditions we were pleased with the victory. The wind definitely favoured whoever had it so it was a good performance actually. In the first half, Patumahoe played really well and we managed to work them out in the second spell.

Marr credited his forwards in yesterday’s win.

“I’m not taking anything away from our backs, but it was just one of those games because of the weather that the forwards stood out. Tighthead prop Kalolo Tuilomo was player of the day. He was immense, his scrummaging was outstanding and he made a huge amount of carries and tackle busts.

“Our number ten, Ki Anufe had a great game too. I don’t think he missed a kick and in those wet and windy conditions that was impressive.”

Bombay have just the one injury concern, with prop Sam Aiono leaving the field after getting a knock to his knee.

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Te Kauwhata EnviroWaste put up a huge fight against Manurewa at Mountfort Park and in the end it turned out to be a 17-all draw.

Manurewa started off strong in typical Rewa style. They scored the first try and converted it within the opening 10 minutes. Te Kauwhata coach Pat Flavell said after that first try, his side were then able to read what kind of game Manurewa were trying to play.

“In our games this season, we have been competitive in the first half and then our defence lets us down in the last 15-20 minutes and we have four or five tries scored against us, which usually isn’t an indication of how the game was played. Yesterday we had our best performance in terms of defence, so I was really happy. We got a couple of penalty tries and we also had one instance where we had crossed the line and should have scored but we dropped the ball, we did have our moments to win.”

The last few minutes were exciting. Te Kauwhata had a penalty with three minutes to go, which they missed. Manurewa collected the ball and took it right back towards their try line before they were awarded a penalty, which also missed. So both sides had the chance to take the victory in the dying stages.

Flavell said the result gives his side a bit more belief heading into the second round.

“We have been getting hammered every week, so we’ve made it so that it’s not about the scoreboard it’s about coming up with a good team performance so yesterday was a good day for us.”

He credited his centre Ben Ormsby who was outstanding on defence.

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors came away with a tight 25-17 victory over Waiuku Brian James Contracting at Waiuku.

It was a real grinding game given the wet conditions. Ardmore Marist had a strong set piece, and high work rate from the forwards in the first half laid the platform. They made better use of the wind in the first spell, putting 22 points on the board.

Waiuku came back very strong in the second half on attack and they also defended really well.   

Joe Harwood and Ilaisa Koaneti scored Waiuku’s two tries, with Tevita Nabura kicking two conversions and a penalty, while Lolohea Loco, Preston Elama, Vini Iosua and Jonathan Taumateine scored Ardmore Marist’s tries and Kirisome Laulala kicked a conversion, with Taumateine slotting a penalty.

From next weekend (28 May) the Premier and Premier Reserves competition will have two pools. Pool A of five teams and Pool B of six teams. The competition is made up of 7 weeks and includes two cross over weeks.

In the Don Shuker Cup Premier Reserve competition, first round winners Karaka defeated Papakura Ray White 53-9, Pukekohe beat Onewhero Hinemoa Produce 37-3, Bombay Pokeno Bacon came away with a narrow 29-23 victory over Patumahoe Hutton Builders, Manurewa defeated Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 57-0 and Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s beat Waiuku 35-23.

Both the Karaka Premier and Premier Reserves won the respective first round cups last year and Don Shuker was at Massey Park yesterday and presented the trophy to the Karaka Premier Reserves.

Shuker has been involved with the Counties Manukau Rugby Union since 1969. He was a Maramarua club delegate, before managing the senior Counties team. He managed for 12 years and then stood for chairman. After five years as chairman he was talked into standing for the New Zealand Rugby Union. He had six years with NZR before becoming President. He’s the current Patron of the Counties Manukau Rugby Union and he spends his Saturday’s getting around the local clubs.

“I always go to a rugby game somewhere in Counties on a Saturday. I like to share it around. Being Patron of the Union I like to visit every club at least once a year.”

In the Massey Cup Under 21 competition, Pukekohe defeated Patumahoe Albycon Ltd 32-6, Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group beat Waiuku 45-3 and Karaka came away with a 25-12 win over Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture.

Pukekohe and Grammar TEC had a tight, low scoring game in their Under 20 fixture. Pukekohe coming away with a 7-3 victory.

In Under 85kg results, Bombay Lincoln Farms beat Waiuku 20-0, Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s defeated Onewhero 38-22, and Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save beat Karaka 22-0.

In the Auckland Premier Women’s competition, Manurewa proved too good for Marist, coming away with a 39-0 victory.

In First Grade, Grammar TEC defeated Manurewa 46-35 at Mountfort Park.

And in 1^st XV Secondary School Chiefs Cup, Trophy and Bowl results, Wesley College were too good for Francis Douglas 41-13 in their Chiefs Cup semi-final. In the Chiefs Trophy semi-final, Wesley College 2^nd XV suffered a narrow 8-5 loss to St Peters. In the Chiefs Bowl semi-final, Pukekohe High School defeated Hauraki North 41-15 and in the other Bowl semi Te Awamutu College beat Alfriston College 37-10. In the 1^st XV Chiefs play-offs, Matamata College beat Waiuku College 39-19 and un the other play-off Rosehill College narrowly beat Thames High School 19-17.

 A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Leaderboard after Round Eleven

All information supplied by clubs and team sheets.