There were plenty of scrums in Leamington B’s win against Melville B on Saturday. Photo: Leamington Rugby Sports Club
First round winner Hautapu and Te Awamutu Sports both succumbed to losses at the start of the second round of senior Waikato club rugby for the Breweries Shield.
The Cambridge side were pipped 27-24 away to Hamilton Marist and Te Awamutu Sports lost 53-10 to Fraser Tech at Albert Park.
Hooker Ethan Kiernan throws the ball into the Pirongia lineout. Photo: Julie Gibson
It was the first round of a top five series which also involves Morrinsville.
Hautapu centre Waisake Salabiau and débutant Ollie Guerin scored two tries apiece, while Patrick Hedley converted half of those. Marist fullback Daniel Ticklepenny, from Te Awamutu, scored 17 of his side’s points in his blazer match (35th game). Former Hautapu and Canadian midfielder Spencer Jones also crossed the line for the home side.
In Te Awamutu first five-eighth Takoha Lunjevich and captain Jake Russ were Sports’ sole scorers. Tech had the services of Manu Samoa representatives D’Angelo Leuila and Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia. Leuila scored 18 of his team’s points.
Promoted Leamington had a bye first up in the Lone Star Cup where they are up against the bottom half teams from the first round of the premier competition – Matamata, Old Boys, Ōtorohanga and University.
They were drawn against Melville – which is in the premier A competition in name only, so had Saturday off.
Kihikihi stalwart Selwyn Hohepa lifts the Raymond Spooner Memorial Cup. Photo: Stuart Dexter
Te Awamutu Sports B were on the wrong side of an 88-7 scoreline against Fraser Tech B.
Women’s premiership side Mel-tap (Melville-Hautapu combined) dealt to Hamilton Marist-University 44-5 at Cambridge Memorial Park.
Centre Maya Tebbutt helped herself to a hat-trick. Other try scorers included Tiare Dixon, lock Dani Wisen and blindside flanker Lachyn Moeke. Pivot Nikita Apiata added two conversions.
In the women’s championship, Kihikihi celebrated their 140th anniversary weekend with a 21-7 win over Morrinsville Sports.
Valentine Tevita scored a double in front of home fans and Stella Tamaki-Whatarangi scored the hosts’ third. Rinoa Day slotted all three conversions.
The Pirongia women headed to Bedford Park and fell short 36-22 against United Matamata Sports.
Fullback Sarah Moorhouse scored two tries and a conversion, while halfback Grace Wright was one of the other Pirongia scorers.
In week one of the division one Mooloo Shield, Pirongia were pipped by Hinuera 29-25 at Pirongia Domain. Forwards Ty Demler-Findlay, Mathew Findsen, Ethan Kiernan and James Pakoti registered tries for the home team and Jason Hill kicked two conversions.
The Pirongia B side remain unbeaten, taking down Hinuera B 31-3 in front of home supporters.
In the presidents grade, Te Awamutu Marist Bushpigs headed down the road to face Kihikihi Stallions on Kihikihi’s 140th anniversary weekend.
It was the maiden clash of the Raymond Spooner Memorial Cup and the celebrating hosts were trophy winners on the day.
There were plenty of scrums in Leamington B’s win against Melville B on Saturday. Photo: Leamington Rugby Sports Club
