: Pirongia midfielder Austin Frederick makes a break against Southern United. Photo: Julie Gibson
It was a largely successful day for Waipā sides in the Waikato Club Rugby division 1A and 1B competitions on Saturday.
The trio of clubs involved – Pirongia, Leamington and Ōhaupō – all played at their home grounds.
Te Awamutu Sports and Hautapu get into their seasons this weekend.
Hayden Thomas was player of the match for Ōhaupō A and B sides. Photo: Jesse Wood
Pirongia produced a couple of cricket scores while Leamington and Ōhaupō claimed a win each.
The Tokoroa-based Southern United sides made the journey north to face Pirongia under the mountain.
Pirongia B came away with the win 44-19 to continue their unbeaten run. The senior A side also claimed a victory over Southern, 43-0.
Eparama Nadru and Callum Hall registered a brace of tries each in the main clash.
Leamington B fell 41-5 at home against Te Rapa B. Their A side recorded an impressive 53-14 win over Te Rapa though.
Robert Day featured heavily on the scoreboard, scoring 23 points.
Leamington captain Thomas Fraser put his body on the line against Te Rapa. Photo: Dave Peters
Down the road at Ōhaupō, the senior B side beat Taupiri B 25-7 in hot conditions.
The Ōhaupō A team were downed 38-24. Two lates tries to fullback Hateni Tafolo were too little too late as Taupiri switched off in the last quarter.
Former provincial forwards Taylor Rae (Waikato 2016) and Shneil Singh (Southland 2023-2024) proved two of the differences for the visiting club, each crossing the chalk.
