SAS FOX MEMORIAL PREMIERSHIP
Pt Chevalier 20 Marist 19
A thrilling Roope Rooster clash finished with Pt Chevalier holding on for the narrowest of victories at Walker Park. Up 13-6 at the break, Marist looked on track to record the upset of the season, before Pt Chevalier scored twice in the second half via Saula Solomona and kicked a penalty to lead 20-15. A last-minute try left Marist with a sideline conversion to win the match, but it was just away to the left of the uprights, leaving them still looking for a win in 2018.
Northcote 32 Howick 8
The Northcote Tigers wore black armbands to honour Kiwi great and club legend Tom Hadfield, who passed away during the week. Both teams, officials and supporters also observed a minute's silence before the match. The Tigers then set about securing a valuable victory over top-four side the Howick Hornets, dragging them to within a win of the competition’s current play-off contenders. Off-season recruit Dylan Moses changed the game when he entered from the bench, scoring two tries and controlling play well.
Otahuhu 8 Glenora 26
A star showing from Jordan Tuarae set Glenora up for a big win over Otahuhu. Up 14-4 at half-time Glenora put together a strong defensive showing to run away in the second. Tuarae was at the heart of everything, laying on a number of try assists, while off the bench young prop Caleb Uele scored a try and chewed through yardage.
Mt Albert 30 Mangere East 12
A Dillon Rota hat-trick lifted Mt Albert to a big home victory over Mangere East. The visitors were strong through the opening 40, but trailed 0-16 at the break. Off the bench former Junior Warriors forward Kouma Samson was strong for the Lions, who now sit on a six win, one loss record in third position on the ladder.
Richmond 34 Papakura 20
The Richmond Bulldogs picked up their first win of the year, racing past Papakura in the second half at Grey Lynn Park. After getting out to an early 12-0 lead, Richmond let Papakura back in front just before the break but a strong second 40, led by front rower Leon Latoa, laid the platform for Richmond to ice the result.
CROWN LIFT TRUCKS SHARMAN CUP
Franklin 36 Pakuranga 20
The Franklin Storm remain unbeaten this year, after powering past the Pakuranga Jaguars in the Round 5 livestreamed game. Down 20-4 at the break, Pakuranga scored in quick succession in the second half to reduce the gap to 20-16, but couldn’t foot it with the Storm in the final quarter. Franklin player/coach Jody Henry was a standout off the bench, setting up several tries in the win.
Manurewa 12 Bay Roskill 28
A drenched field made playing conditions tough at Mountfort Park, with Bay Roskill keeping their perfect record intact. One-time Kiwi international Ben Henry was brilliant for Bay Roskill, scoring a pair of tries, while in a beaten side Mariota Mariota also got over the line twice.
Papatoetoe 12 Otara 56
Otara ran out comfortable winners over Papatoetoe, with a dominant first half laying the platform for the Scorpions. Up 40-6 at the break, Otara had to fight off an improved effort from Papatoetoe in the second half, but had too much class in the end.
Ponsonby 36 Mt Wellington 12
Ponsonby outlasted Mt Wellington to claim their fourth win of the campaign. Playmaker George Puleanga and bookend George Pulu were standouts for Ponsonby at Victoria Park, with the win bumping them up to second on the Crown Lift Trucks Sharman Cup ladder.
Ellerslie 46 Hibiscus Coast 18
Ellerslie outmuscled the Hibiscus Coast Raiders to clock a comfortable win at the Ellerslie Domain. Using their superior size in the middle of the park, Ellerslie were able to dominate scoring chances, and controlled possession. Eagles captain Vili Li grabbed three tries in the win.
Northern Brothers 24 Te Atatu 16
The Northern Brothers continued their brilliant start to 2018, downing the previously unbeaten Te Atatu Roosters at Freyberg Park. Locked up at 12-all at the break, the hosts put in a strong defensive effort to restrict Te Atatu to just four second-half points.
Manukau 18 Waitemata 34
A hat-trick to debutant winger Nathan Faleafa was the difference for Waitemata at Moyle Park, as they secured their first win of the year. Down 8-0 after just 10 minutes, Waitemata hit back to lead by two at the break, before overcoming their south Auckland rivals in the second half.
Bye: New Lynn.
FARRELLY PHOTOS WOMEN'S COMPETITION
Pt Chevalier-Waitemata 16 Te Atatu 18
The Te Atatu Roosters overcame a 12-8 half-time deficit to edge past Point Chevalier-Waitemata and confirm their spot in the competition’s top four. Fullback Keri Ratima earned Played of the Day honours for the Roosters, in a game where the lead changed hands multiple times. Pt Chevalier-Waitemata pushed their opponents all the way, but couldn’t find points on a last-minute raid, handing Te Atatu the victory.
Otahuhu 32 Mt Albert 12
Otahuhu kept their unbeaten record intact with a victory over fellow competition front-runners Mt Albert. Centre Onjeurlina Leitaua was deadly in attack for Otahuhu, scoring twice, while Kiwi Ferns fullback Apii Nicholls-Pualau had a strong game in her first outing of the season.
Ponsonby 46 Mangere East 22
Ponsonby made it back-to-back wins with a convincing victory over Mangere East at Victoria Park. Centre Mile Toki scored a double, as did fullback Mazelina Haurua. Mangere East attempted a late comeback, scoring three tires in the final 15 minutes, but ultimately left their run too late. Prop Chance Vapio was a standout out for the Dion Briggs-coached Ponies.
Manukau 0 Richmond 110
A six-try haul from former Kiwi Fern Tasha Davie helped Richmond to a resounding victory, finishing off a tough grading round for last year’s competition runners-up. Current Kiwi Ferns Shontelle Woodman and Georgia Hale both registered hat-tricks in the win.
Manurewa 122 Mt Wellington 6
Manurewa capped off an unbeaten grading round in style, piling on 122 points against competition newcomers Mt Wellington. New signing Leani Williams scored a hat-trick from the wing, along with Kere Matua. Mt Wellington did finish the game with one noted achievement though, becoming just the second team this year to score a point against Manurewa.
