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Patumahoe Hotel took out the Counties Power Game of the Week in the Premier competition, with a 27-15 win over Bombay Gough Cat at Patumahoe.

Penalties were the only points scored in the first half, with the hosts taking a 9-3 lead into the break. But the flood gates opened somewhat in the second spell, with Patumahoe scoring three tries and Bombay scoring two. Violeti Taulani, Fotu Lokotui and Tamati Fromm scored for Patumahoe, while Aaron Smith scored Bombay’s two tries. Five-Eighth Piers Francis was back from Blues duty, kicking a conversion.

Patumahoe coach John Penberthy said they were in must-win territory so it was great to get the result.

“The guys really stepped up and played well. We showed the desire we had talked about all week and it was great to see it out on the field, our guys really stepped up. We had a great crowd cheering the boys on, and because it was sponsors day it was good to put on a good performance for those who financially back and support the club.”

The two sides played for the Zane Perkins Cup, which is in honour of the late Zane Perkins who was a real character in the rugby scene. Bombay have held it for a few years, so Penberthy said it’s great that Patumahoe will be able to put it in their trophy cabinet.

Patumahoe are without their two props who are on international duty, but Sione Kanongata’a stepped up against a strong Bombay tight-five and was named the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Player of the Day. He went home with a vegetable pack from A S Wilcox & Sons Limited. Penberthy said he was great.

“He played a full 80 minutes which is a huge effort for a guy who hasn’t done that in a long time. It’s one of the harder positions in the team and he did his job. Fotu Lokotui was again a stand out for us. His ability to go forward and his fitness is incredible. His desire and passion is second to none. It was also outstanding having Kane Hancy back running the show. He gives the guys a lot of confidence and direction.”

Penberthy joked that 42-year old hooker Ilaisa Ma'asi will be a bit sore today after yesterday’s encounter. He’s played for Patumahoe since 2005 and he represented Tonga at the Rugby World Cup in 2011.

Bombay still top Premier Pool B, sitting seven points ahead of Patumahoe.

Onewhero Counties Bulk Haulage/Carters and Counties Power Cup holders Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega had a tight battle at Onewhero, with both sides eventually settling for a 20-all draw.

Onewhero coach Adam Cathcart said it was tit for tat in the first few minutes before Pukekohe got themselves on the score sheet.

“Pukekohe scored from a lineout and a few pick and go’s and then they got a penalty, so they were up 8-0 after about 15 minutes. We then came back and played some good footy. Kieran Whyte scored a good try, running down the sideline bumping off some players. Then Reginald Sikivou scored a great try to put us in front 13-8 at the break. Then Pukekohe scored straight away in the second half to put us on the back foot again. They had a lot of the pill in the second spell and we just defended and defended and managed to score with 8 minutes to go. We tried for a drop kick but couldn’t quite get it. It was a good spectacle.”

Cathcart said while a draw is better than a loss he’s gutted, because the situation they are currently in, means Onewhero’s semi-final hopes are pretty much all but over. He said lock Kieran Whyte was their player of the day and first five-eighth Luke Makris was his usual best, kicking a conversion and a penalty.

Livai Toofohe, Gafatasi Su’a and George Maka scored Pukekohe’s tries, while Joe Reynolds also kicked a conversion and a penalty.

Karaka came away with a convincing 65-0 victory over Papakura Ray White at Karaka Sports Park. The home side already had a handy 27-0 buffer at half time, and they continued their dominance into the second spell. It was a day to remember for Karaka’s Tavite Gadeisuva who scored four tries in the victory. Tenina Sauileoge scored a couple of tries, while Deniro Refiti, Desma Liaina, Asa Lehauli, Lepetimalo Lauese and John Fifita all scored singles. Karaka remain at the top of the Premier Pool A table.

Ardmore Marist proved too good for Te Kauwhata Envirowaste at Te Kauwhata. The visitors took out the game 78-12. Luteru Laulala bagged 27 of Ardmore Marist’s points, scoring a hat trick and kicking six conversions. Ardmore Marist ran in 12 tries to two, with How Peaua and Owen Paletua scoring Te Kauwhata’s tries.

Waiuku Brian James Contracting picked up a big result over Weymouth at Puni, winning 88-5. Waiuku set the platform early and they took a 48-0 lead into the half time break. It was a huge day for Waiuku’s two wingers, with Akariva Niubalavu scoring five tries, and Tevita Nabura scoring four. Aaron Yuill chimed in with a hat trick, while Ropini Tupu and Jarrod Miller both scored singles. Jack Hardie kicked nine conversions for Waiuku. Ryan Faliu scored Weymouth’s try.

Click HERE for the A S Wilcox & Sons Limited Premier Leaderboard 

In the Premier Reserve competition, Karaka defeated Papakura Ray White 53-17. Pukekohe came away with a 48-7 win over Onewhero Hinemoa Produce/Livestock NZ 48-7. Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s were too good for Te Kauwhata Trailers & Cabins 79-5. Waiuku defeated Puni 61-0 and Bombay Pokeno Bacon and Patumahoe Hutton Builders had a close encounter, with Bombay getting the win in the dying stages, 17-15.

In Massey Cup Under 21 results, Patumahoe Albycon Ltd stole victory off Bombay Roger Gill Agriculture right on full time 28-27. Pukekohe were too strong from Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group 71-0 and Karaka defeated Waiuku 36-13.

Pakuranga defeated Beachlands Maraetai 27-20 in their Under 20 fixture, while Pukekohe fell just short to Manukau 17-15.

In the Under 85kg competition, Patumahoe Pak ‘N’ Save were too good for Ardmore Marist Harcourt’s 27-3. Karaka defeated Bombay Lincoln Farms 27-14 and Waiuku picked up a good win over Onewhero 33-10.

Manurewa proved too strong from Ardmore Marist in their Premier Women’s fixture at Bruce Pulman Park, with Manurewa coming away with a 63-12 victory.

And in the Rainbow’s End Counties Manukau & Waikato 1^st XV Premier competition, Manurewa High School came away with a strong 48-9 win over Alfriston College. Dean Muir Challenge Cup Holders St Johns defeated Cambridge High School 39-0. Matamata College beat Te Awamutu College 30-10 and Pukekohe High School defeated rivals Rosehill College 34-19.

In the Central North Island (CNI) 1^st XV competition, Wesley College went down in a close one to Francis Douglas Memorial College 29-24.

All information supplied by team sheets and coaches.