Leamington winger Robert Day scored all of his side’s points on Saturday. Photo: Leamington Rugby Sports Club
It was another high scoring weekend for the Waipā club rugby teams.
Highlights included Pirongia scoring 219 unanswered points across 1A and 1B divisions, while Hautapu scored 142 across their two senior matches, winning all four of their games.
Hautapu trounced United Matamata Sports 81-5 at Cambridge Memorial Park.
Ōhaupō B lock Paul James-Lyon makes a break. Photo: Jesse Wood
The impressive Nathan Stephens helped himself to a hattrick, while number 10 Rangiwai Lunjevich grabbed a double and kicked seven conversions.
Fellow Hautapu scorers included Waisake Salabiau (2), Quentin Hill (2), Harry Chittick, Pita Anae-Ah Sue and Rui Farrant.
In the earlier match, Hautapu B defeated Matamata B 61-12 with left winger Josh Brunger crossing the chalk on four occasions.
First five-eighth Callum Beckett kicked eight conversions and grabbed a try himself.
Te Awamutu Sports’ premier side won by default as they were drawn to play the removed Melville.
Te Awamutu Sports premier development beat Melville B 43-12 at Collins Road in Hamilton.
Former Te Awamutu College first XV captain Ryan Baillie in action for Te Awamutu Sports colts. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
Four George Poolman conversions were added to the tally alongside tries from John Salinas, Kahu Boyd, Gelestino Kiutau, Sosaia Fonua, Kahn Martin, Daniel McGillivray and Connor Moore.
In the women’s premiership, Melville-Hautapu combined (Mel-tap) beat Suburbs 62-15 at Flagstaff Park.
Fullback Keira Russell grabbed a hat-trick and kicked four conversions.
Fellow outside back Dawn Hohua crossed for two five-pointers in the 10-try to three victory.
In division 1A, Leamington travelled down the road and pipped Ōhaupō 18-17 at Ōhaupō Memorial Park.
Winger Robert Day scored all of the visitors’ points – two tries, two penalties and a conversion – to add to his impressive 2026 points tally.
Fullback Hateni Tafolo and Chris Johnson were the Ōhaupō try scorers, while pivot Dean Fullerton added seven points off the tee.
Pirongia hosted Kereone and buried them 130-0.
Pirongia winger Ruban Maniapoto-King crosses for one of his four tries against Kereone. Photo: Julie Gibson
The mountain men scored 20 tries with Jason Hill converting 15 of them.
Winger Ruban Maniapoto-King scored four tries as did flanker Ty Demler-Findlay.
Reserve Jeke Lesuma and vice-captain Callum Hall got three tries apiece.
In the 1B division, Leamington B lost 29-19 to Ōhaupō B. Hayden Thomas and co-captain Cameron Torr scored braces for the victors, while veteran Brent Smith sealed the deal with his side’s fifth.
Pirongia B thrashed Kereone B 89-0 – 15 tries and seven conversions. Kingston Grant scored 19 of the Pirongia points including a hat-trick.
Kirwyn Ellis had a 15-point haul, while Ben Rush, Tom Kirkbride and Kayden Moorfield registered two tries each.
The Waipā women’s championship matches were both under mountains.
Pirongia were pipped by Waitete 36-33 at Pirongia Domain.
Fullback Sarah Moorhouse grabbed a double for the home team and added four conversions.
Other Pirongia try scorers were openside Georgia Packer, centre Katie King and Grainne Walsh
Kihikihi lost 50-0 to Taupiri-Te Kauwhata combined at Murphy Lane in North Waikato.
Leamington winger Robert Day scored all of his side’s points on Saturday. Photo: Leamington Rugby Sports Club
Former Waikato FPC representative Calista Ruruku grabbed two tries for the home team.
In the colts grade, Hautapu thumped Suburbs 48-0 including a Mason Baker double, as well as 13 points for first five-eighth Johanson Tamala.
Other scorers were Sean Burgess, Luke Goodman, Brooklyn King, Mason Grice and Sam Fowler.
Pirongia colts lost 34-0 to Fraser Tech and Leamington under-21 lost 52-12 to Morrinsville Sports.
Winger Hunter Ward and prop Ambrosio Reidel were the sole Leamington scorers, with Will Lord adding a conversion.
Te Awamutu Sports beat United Matamata Sports’ under-21 team 33-24 at Bedford Park – a penalty try and a penalty goal were the difference.
Former Te Awamutu College first XV reps Teina Beets, Ryan Baillie, Kainan Kelly and Kiarn Collett all crossed the chalk for the visitors.
Jaoquin Burke slotted two conversions and Braith Tangohau one.
