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Papakura turn Onewhero on their head with 30 on the clock

Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors and Karaka will host McNamara Cup semi-finals while Papakura Thirsty Liquor stormed home to make the Plate semi-finals on Saturday.

Down 27-0 away at Onewhero with less than 30 minutes left on the clock, one could easily forgive Papakura for throwing in the towel.

But Kerry Petrie’s side rallied in the dying stages to score four converted tries and steal a win that sends them into the Plate semi-finals.

“When the score reached 27-0 with 30 minutes left, I jokingly mentioned to fellow coach Pat Flavell that it was looking likely we wouldn’t be needing to plan any trainings next week,” Petrie said. “But instead, and to their credit, the boys flicked on a switch.

“When one try led to another, momentum shifted and things began to connect.

“We couldn’t be prouder of the courage and belief they showed, I’m sure a 30 minutes our boys will talk about for quite some time.”

Papakura will face Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega at Colin Lawrie Fields next weekend.

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil produced a similar Houdini-like escape against Bombay Super Freight at Rugby Park.

The visitors led for the majority of the game – at times out beyond a converted try – before Peter Nock’s outfit staged a last-gasp comeback to secure themselves a home semi-final and repeat game next weekend between the two clubs.

Manurewa Kidd Contracting needed results in both McNamara Cup Premiership games to go their way if they were to secure a home semi-final.

Ardmore Marist did their part to help, beating Karaka 36-26 at Karaka Sports Complex despite the presence of Wallabies centurion and recent PIC Steelers signing Sekope Kepu.

But Jeremy Clark’s team came up agonisingly short against Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel at Patumahoe Domain.

Manurewa dominated the first 40 minutes and took a 17-5 lead into half-time before Reon Graham’s side burst to life in the second spell.

A brilliant solo effort from replacement prop Siate Taupaki gave the sizeable home crowd some belief and his teammates rode that to a double-digit advantage late.

But Manurewa didn’t give up and drew within a point with a couple of minutes on the clock. They were awarded a penalty out wide but within kicking range for Larenz Thomson, who had not missed all afternoon.

The tricky task made more difficult of course with the home semi-final riding on his time-expired attempt.

It came down short and Patumahoe will take some momentum into sudden death next weekend when they travel to Bruce Pulman Park for a clash with Ardmore Marist.

“Happy to win especially for in last home game for the season but not thrilled with the performance,” Graham said after the match. “I think there are a lot of areas we need to sharpen up heading into next weekend.

“We will look at that and will be throwing it all into that next game.”

Doug Sanft’s Ardmore Marist side have now had successive wins over all three of their remaining opponents in the second round to go into the final fortnight as competition favourites.

Bombay Pokeno Bacon had to rally after falling behind 13-0 early to beat Karaka 36-18 in the Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserves final at Karaka Sports Complex.

They stormed home in the final 15 minutes of the first spell to hit the lead before blowing the game open in the third quarter.

There was little between the two sides during round robin play but a fired-up visitors got a big performance they needed in the title game.

Patumahoe Village Bar & Grill cruised to a comfortable 39-0 win over Tuakau in the Sid Marshall Shield Championship final round to book the last remaining semi-final berth.

They will meet top-of-the-table Drury, who completed a perfect round robin thanks to a 42-7 win over Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields.

Te Kauwhata Proclad warmed up for a repeat semi-final next weekend as they beat Te Kohanga 21-7 at Te Kauwhata. The two sides will do it all again next week at the same venue in the semi-finals.

Maramarua finished the round robin in fifth place after a 40-15 triumph against Puni, while Papakura Thirsty Liquor finished their campaign on a high with a 55-14 victory over Manurewa.

Patumahoe CJM Construction needed a five-point win against Papakura Thirsty Liquor to pip their rivals for a home Massey Cup U21 semi-final next weekend. They achieved just that with a 44-21 win and will take confidence into a repeat clash at Patumahoe in the semi-finals next weekend.

Manurewa Barfoot & Thompson went through as top qualifiers thanks to a 65-24 win over Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields and will now host Pukekohe at Mountfort Park next weekend in sudden death play.

Waiuku edged Karaka 20-19 in the other match in the grade. Despite both teams being out of playoff contention they produced a fiercely competitive game to finish their respective seasons.

Onewhero recorded a stunning 31-0 win over Pukekohe to earn a semi-final spot in the U85kg grade. Needing to beat the team immediately behind them on the ladder to secure a playoff spot, Onewhero turned up with the right attitude and put Pukekohe to the sword.

They will face Karaka in the semi-finals next weekend at Karaka Sports Complex.

Patumahoe Pak N Save Pukekohe warmed up for the semis with a 39-0 win over Papakura Thirsty Liquor at Massey Park to go through as the competition’s top qualifiers.

Losses for both Papakura and Pukekohe allowed Waiuku to earn a semi-final berth thanks to their 42-7 win over Bombay.

They will travel to Patumahoe next weekend.

Counties Power Club Rugby Results 3 July 2021:

Bob Chandler Cup (Premier Reserves) FINAL Results: Congratulations to Bombay Pokeno Bacon 2021 Champions.

Karaka 18-36 Bombay Pokeno Bacon 2021 Champions

Don Shuker Cup (Round 1 Winners) - Karaka

McNamara Cup (Premiership):

Karaka 26-36 Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors

Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 32-31 Manurewa Kidd Contracting

Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega BYE

Premiership Plate:

Waiuku Land & Sea Civil 39-36 Bombay Super Freight