SAS FOX MEMORIAL PREMIERSHIP
Mt Albert 28 Richmond 27
A miraculous comeback saw Mt Albert score eight points in the final five minutes, to record a comeback win over Richmond. Down 27-20, a converted try to Jarrod Tua gave Mt Albert a chance, before halfback Reece Joyce kicked a 40-metre penalty to seal the result. The loss leaves Richmond without a victory through the first five weeks.
Howick 12 Glenora 20
Glenora inflicted Howick's first loss of 2018, with a strong first half setting the Bears up for their fourth win of the campaign. Howick finished the stronger of the two sides, but couldn't find a way through the staunch Glenora defence often enough. Glenora's Chase Bernard played 80 minutes in the front row, while dummy-half Zac Tippins was a standout for the Bears.
Papakura 14 Marist 12
A penalty goal with two minutes on the clock lifted Papakura to their first victory of 2018, with halfback Evean Hunt booting the south Aucklanders to glory at home. Tied at 12-all through the back end of the second half, Marist will rue a missed opportunity to jump off the bottom of the ladder. In the middle of the park Jamal Hunt – younger brother of match-winner Evean – was a standout for the Sea Eagles.
Pt Chevalier 42 Northcote 0
The Pt Chevalier Pirates made an emphatic statement on their way to retaining control of the Roope Rooster, producing a 42-0 shut out of Northcote. Pt Chevalier were flawless when defending their line, while in attack Oliver Tuimavave scored a double, as did Nathan Newton off the bench.
Mangere East 22 Otahuhu 28
Otahuhu dodged a fast-finishing Mangere East to pick up their third win of the year. Up 16-6 at the break, the Leopards scored 12 points in the second, but had to survive a late raid by the Hawks at Bert Henham Park. Fullback Geronimo Doyle scored a try and kicked well, while Dylan Uate was strong in the back row for Otahuhu.
CROWN LIFT TRUCKS SHARMAN CUP
Otara 18 Bay Roskill 32
A strong second half saw Bay Roskill get up for victory over Otara at Walker Park. The Scorpions had the lion's share of possession in the opening exchanges, but struggled to find a way through the Bay Roskill line. Cori Vogel was influential at fullback for the Vikings, while veteran hooker Johnathan Wea set the tone for the victory in the middle of the park.
Papatoetoe 0 Ponsonby 102
Five tries to centre Damon Niko were the highlight of Ponsonby's 102-0 blowout of Papatoetoe, which gave the Ponies their second victory of the year. Up 48-0 at the break, Ponsonby found another gear in the second, cracking the century mark late in the match.
Franklin 52 Hibiscus 12
A star showing from captain-coach Jody Henry helped Franklin to a comprehensive 52-12 victory over the Hibiscus Coast, leaving the Premiership newcomers undefeated through the opening three weeks. Henry scored two tries and directed play well. Up 18-12 at the break, the Storm blew the Raiders away in the second 40, scoring 34 unanswered points.
Manurewa 30 Ellerslie 24
Manurewa bounced back from a defeat in Round 2, to down Ellerslie in a thriller at Mountfort Park. Up 22-12 at the break, Manurewa were forced to play the final 10 minutes with only 11 players, having had two put in the sin bin, but did enough to hold on for victory.
Te Atatu 18 Pakuranga 16
The Te Atatu Roosters remain undefeated, after edging past an injury-hit Pakuranga Jaguars. Locked up at the break, both teams traded blows through the second, with the Roosters' two tries in the second period proving enough to get them home.
New Lynn 18 Mt Wellington 26
Mt Wellington downed the previously unbeaten New Lynn Stags on the road, scoring twice in the final 10 minutes to secure the result. After the Stags got off to a flying start, it was Mt Wellington's enthusiasm which proved the difference in the second half.
Northern Brothers 48 Manukau 16
The Northern Brothers are on the board in 2018, picking up a big victory over Manukau. Up 22-10 at half-time, Northern went on with the job in second to run out comfortable winners at Freyberg Park.
