CLUB RUGBY 2018
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@stargazer starts earlier than that.
TR Jnr plays at probably the biggest Club in Whangarei, last year in U12, we had maybe 40 boys, 2 teams topped the comp 1st equal, 1 loss each...this year there were some tweaks around age and weight rules, we have 23 boys
My team personally, we had 19 last year, 5 kids gone through the rule tweak (2 of those didnt go to U14 as our club didnt have a team in U14) so went to another club, which sucks as it doesnt foster loyalty, not to mention these guys want to play with thier mates at this age.
Lost 2 others just chose not to play this year, 1 nabbed by an Auckland school and another moved away with his family, but he is playing still elsewhere.
Between us and the other team, I think our club lost over 20 kids from last year (I think about 40% of them not playing this year) picked up a few others from being forced to come up a grade due to new rule tweaks.
I know 2 other local clubs that had teams in U12 last year, dont have teams this year, 1 other club had 2 teams last year, 1 this year.
I saw some statistic on player numbers by age, and this is the age where you start losing kids, I am sure someone has done the analysis of where they go instead of playing rugby, but is frustrating as a coach seeing kids who want to play, choose not to play rugby with thier mates for whatever reason.
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@stargazer Already happened in many places and will probably only get worse.
Club competitions will survive in many places throughout our lifetimes, but the pathways will, I think, increasingly resemble the US model for football, basketball, baseball, where you progress through school, college, professional ranks and if you don't get picked up at any stage that's largely the end of your career (substitute NPC for college).
http://www.sporty.co.nz/northcanterburyrugby/Draws-Results-1
Interesting for me to look at the North Canterbury competition. No idea who some of these teams are, but when I was playing 40+ years ago, there was a Hurunui subunion competition up to U14 - teams from Waiau, Hanmer, Culverden, Cheviot and two from United. All of these clubs also had senior teams that competed in the broader North Canterbury competition. Now it seems they've pretty much been merged into one "Hurunui" team (Cheviot has merged with Glenmark).
The whole competition looks like it is a merger of separate competitions - there used to be Hurunui, North Canterbury and Ellesmere subunions each running their own competitions - now these three are all one - plus other teams from further south, like Ashburton, which I think were part of a separate Mid-Canterbury and/or Malvern competition (I could be wrong about that). Kaikoura was part of Marlborough - but have apparently been sent to play in North Canterbury, now that the Nelson and Marlborough competitions have combined.
When I was playing, the North Canterbury Senior Competition probably comprised the following clubs: Hanmer, Waiau, Culverden, Cheviot, United, Glenmark, Amberley, Ashley, Rangiora, Kaiapoi, Woodend, Oxford, Ohoka - most of which appear to have merged or disappeared.
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A lot of provinces have done away with the Under 19 grade. Counties and Waikato have 21's. Waikato having six colts teams is poor for a province if its size. A lot of school boys are going straight into senior rugby. A few years ago in Counties there were two divisions with B teams also. Now only the top grade requires a b team.
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Counties Power Club Rugby Results 12 May 2018
McNamara Cup (Premier 1)
Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors (Counties Power Cup Holders) 20
(Penalty Try, tries; cons; pens)
Manurewa Kidd Contracting 3
(Logan Fonoti pens)
HT: 17-3Papakura Ray White 12
(George Crichton, Dylan Leckner tries; Faalae Peni cons)
Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 15
(Richard Taupaki, Troy Abernethy tries; Broc Hooper cons; Broc Hooper pens)
HT: 7-10Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega 18
(Trent White, Taine McQuoid tries; Cody White cons; Cody White 2pens)
Karaka 18
(Andrew West, Cardiff Vaega tries; Juan Benadie cons; Kalione Hala, Juan Benadie pens)
HT: 15-8Bombay 49
(Jordan Goldsmith 2, Patrick Masoe, Tuise Toai-Key, Tulele Masoe, Sepuloni Taufa tries; Ki Anufe 5 cons; Ki Anufe 4pens)
Onewhero Silver Fern Marquees 33
(Penalty try, Lesley Vainkolo, Zac Wootten, Kieran Whyte, Jackson Orr tries; Rhain Strang 3 cons)
HT: 43-12 -
Premier A Week 8
Fraser Tech 12-24 Hamilton Marist
Hamilton Old Boys 64-15 Te Awamutu Sport
Hautapu 52-16 Morrinsville Sport
Otorohanga 45-12 University
Melville – ByeOne of the clubs in Division 1, Suburbs had immigration turn up to training and they have lost 8 players. That makes it easier for my team next week.
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Big win for Ponsonby this weekend:
Ponsonby v Eden
Both teams were 5 from 5 heading in to today’s clash, but it was Ponsonby who were able to maintain their perfect start to 2018. Having beaten Eden in the final of the Waka Nathan Challenge Cup, Ponies picked up where they left off by shooting out of the gates early to lead 17-0 at the break. Eden were unable to get much going in attack throughout the game and a solitary try was all they had to show for their efforts. Ponsonby proved they are the real deal this season by closing out the match 27-5.
Ponsonby 27 (M Siliko 2, T Fox-Matamua, R Khan tries, J Trainor 2 conv, J Trainor pen)
Eden 5 (S Taavao try) Halftime: 17 - 0
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Counties Power Club Rugby Results 19 May 2018
McNamara Cup (Premier 1)
Manurewa Kidd Contracting 38
(Joshua Tafili 2, Logan Fonoti, Willie Tuala, William Raea, Pisi Leilua tries; Logan Fonoti 4 cons)
Papakura Ray White 17
(Saimone Setefano, Darryl Hemopo, Paul Wolfgramm tries; Patrick Palepua cons)
HT: 19-5Karaka 21
(Kalione Hala, Cardiff Vaega, Walter Fifita tries; Kalione Hala 2 pens)
Bombay 27
(Ki Anufe, Patrick Masoe, Chay Mackwood tries; Ki Anufe 3 cons; Ki Anufe 2 pens)
HT: 11-10Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel 15
(Nathan Linford, Tamati Fromm, Jonny Wilkinson tries)
Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega 8
(Jamie King tries; Cody White pens)
HT: 15-3Waiuku Brian James Contracting 17
(Joseph Gregory, Suetena Asomua, Vuga Tagicakibau tries; Karapani Togafau Aperila cons)
Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors (Counties Power Cup Holders) 52
(Solomona Paraki 2, Damon Leasausu 2, Joseph Ikenasio, Sione Tuipulotu, Josephy Casey, Alesio Vili, Savelio Ropati tries; Latiume Fosita cons)
HT: 0-25 -
Waikato Premier A Week 9
Hamilton Old Boys 27-13 Hautapu
Morrinsville Sports 17-22 Hamilton Marist
Otorohanga 27-30 Melville
University 10-41 Fraser Tech
Te Awamutu Sports – ByeDivision 1A Week 10
Hinuera 68-5 Pirongia
Leamington 29-22 Putaruru
Ohaupo 31-22 Frankton
Southern United 5-41 Taupiri
Suburbs 18-20 Te Rapa
United Matamata Sports 85-5 Huntly College Old BoysA happy day for my club Te Rapa beating Suburbs who are top 4 and regaining the Rheineck Cup. It is the Div 1 version of the Stag Trophy.
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Waikato prems had a week off. My team Te Rapa almost beat UMS who dropped down from Premier grade. A win would have been another upset after we beat Suburbs last week. TA Sports drop down to join the top seven Division 1 teams to play in the Championship competition with the top two going up to prems next year. I expect TA Sports and Taupiri to be the top two.
Division One championship is the bottom five with us, Pirongia and Ohaupo fighting it out for top spot.
Division 1A Week 11
Frankton 0-95 Taupiri
Huntly College Old Boys 10-96 Hinuera
Pirongia 26-31 Southern United
Putaruru 36-29 Ohaupo
Suburbs 15-25 Leamington
United Matamata Sports 28-23 Te RapaDivision 1B Week 11
Frankton 34-25 Taupiri
Huntly College Old Boys DEFAULT-WIN Hinuera
Pirongia 36-41 Southern United
Putaruru 48-10 Ohaupo
Suburbs 28-29 Leamington
United Matamata Sports 78-12 Te RapaDivision 2 Week 8
Hamilton Old Boys WIN-DEFAULT Ngaruawahia/Te Akau
Jaradites 0-30 Whatawhata
Kihikihi 27-26 Kereone
Te Awamutu Marist - Raglan (No result provided)
Matangi Hillcrest - BYEColts Week 7
Hamilton Marist 14-10 Leamington
Hamilton Old Boys 7-15 United Matamata Sports
University 10-29 Morrinsville SportsUnder 85kgs Week 7
Hamilton Marist 17-19 Morrinsville Sports
Melville 47-0 University
Te Awamutu Sports DEFAULT-WIN Fraser TechGallagher Women's Premiership Week 7
Saturday 26th May
Hamilton Old Boys 100-0 Putaruru
Taupiri 17-27 Otorohanga
Sunday 27th May
University v Southern United - Waikato University, 1.00pm -
Counties
Onewhero Silver Fern Marquees kept alive their semifinal hopes with a hard-fought 24-20 win over Waiuku up the hill on Saturday.
Both teams scored three tries in the match but the goal-kicking of Rhain Strang proved the difference on the scoreboard.
It was a back and forth game with a number of lead changes.
“It was a good win for us,” coach Lesley Vainikolo said.
“The boys showed lots of character and patience to come back from behind to win.
“We still have our eyes on that top four.”
Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors retained their position at the top of the standings while also successfully defending the Counties Power Cup as they smashed Papakura Ray White 77-19 in a result that sends an ominous warning to the rest of the competition.
Doug Sanft’s side racked up a total of 13 tries in the massacre and had 46 points in the first half alone but he was far from happy with the performance.
“I am quite critical of what we do. I think they were missing some players to be honest,” Sanft said.
“We were quite clinical in the first half but we got sloppy in the second and credit to Papakura – they just never stopped fighting and they scored three tries – to in the second half.”
Ardmore Marist is in great position – well clear of the chasing pack but it wasn’t all rosy picking up an injury concern.
“We lost one of our props with ankle ligament damage so he will miss a few weeks.”
Manurewa Kidd Contracting embarrassed arch rivals Pukekohe Mitre 10 in a lop-sided score line at Colin Lawrie Fields. Second placed Manurewa beat the home side 54-17 to put a massive dent in Pukekohe’s semifinal aspirations.
“It was probably one of our best performances of the season so far,” coach Jeremy Clark said. “We were very happy with the result – it was an 80 minute performance.
“It was just one of those things where everything gelled and worked well. The platform was set up front – the forwards dominated up front. We were defensively sound and 21-0 at halftime we thought we had done well but it was quite a strong wind so we knew we had to hold the ball, no kicking, and every time we went over five or six phases we scored points.”
Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel produced a superb defensive display to beat four-time defending McNamara Cup champions Bombay – their second win of the season over the same opposition.
Bombay scored first and had the early running but the visitors warmed to the task and grew more confident as the match went on.
Counties Manukau and Blues representative Joe Royal was instrumental in the side’s win as they consolidated third place on the ladder.
“To win up here in the second round is always hard because the field gets a bit boggier and it is always hard coming here against a well-drilled side that are four-time champions as we know so that is a big step forward,” coach Reon Graham said.
“We just started putting our attack together a bit better and our defense took another step forward from last week.”
The Patumahoe back line looked threatening with some front foot ball. Brock Hooper, Riley Hohepa and Sam Furniss looked particularly damaging at first five and in the midfield.
“Riley did well – he has been out a couple of weeks with crook ribs so it was good to see him come through the game well with a good game on defense and attack,” Graham added.
Ki Anufe scored 12 points to top the AS Wilcox Leaderboard but his 10 minute spell on the sidelines with a yellow card hurt the home side.
It was a top day for the visitors as Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical kept their winning run going with an impressive 19-12 win over Bombay in Premier 2 play. Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofing enjoyed a 35-25 win over Manurewa Wise Property while Waiuku thrashed Onewhero Hinemoa Produce 80-10. Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group completed a superb day for the club as they hammered Papakura Ray White 79-12.
Te Kautwhata, Karaka and Weymouth picked up wins in Premier 3 action. Weymouth and Te Kauwhata remain at the top of the standings with those victories while Karaka’s success was their first this season.
In Massey Cup Under 21 action Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofting pipped Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group 23-21 in a close encounter. Patumahoe Albycon Ltd took a 36-17 win over Bombay to stay inside the top four.
Papakura Ray White, Karaka and Patumahoe Pak N Save picked up wins in Under 85kg games while it wasn’t a great day for local clubs in women’s action with both Manurewa and Ardmore Marist losing to Auckland opponents. -
Waikato
Premiership A Week 2
Fraser Tech 20-18 Morrinsville Sports
Hamilton Old Boys 14-17 Hamilton Marist
Hautapu 34-23 University
Otorohanga 41-20 MelvillePremiership B Week 2
Fraser Tech 29-20 Morrinsville Sports
Hamilton Old Boys 24-54 Hamilton Marist
Hautapu 31-10 University
Otorohanga 27-21 MelvilleChampionship A Week 2
Leamington 15-15 Suburbs
Putaruru 14-87 Te Awamutu Sports
Southern United 30-26 Hinuera
Taupiri 50-0 United Matamata SportsChampionship B Week 2
Leamington 31-22 Suburbs
Putaruru 17-31 Te Awamutu Sports
Southern United 34-0 Hinuera
Taupiri 18-29 United Matamata SportsDivision 1A Week 2
Pirongia 39-5 Huntly College Old Boys
Te Rapa 37-10 Frankton
Ohaupo - BYEDivision 1B Week 2
Pirongia WIN-DEFAULT Huntly College Old Boys
Te Rapa 7-50 Frankton
Ohaupo - BYEDivision 2 Week
Kihikihi 19-24 Jaradites
Matangi Hillcrest 0-31 Hamilton Old Boys
Ngaruawahia/Te Akau 12-42 Raglan
Te Awamutu Marist 28-29 KereoneColts Week 9
Hamilton Old Boys 13-7 Hamilton Marist
Morrinsville Sports 17-19 Leamington
United Matamata Sports 38-12 UniversityUnder 85kgs Week 9
Hamilton Marist WIN-DEFAULT Te Awamutu Sports
Melville 18-11 Fraser Tech
University 0-60 Morrinsville SportsGallagher Womens Premiership Week 9
Otorohanga 5-69 Melville
Taupiri - University (No result provided)Sunday 10 June
Putaruru - Southern United
Hamilton Old Boys - BYE -
Counties
Ardmore Marist South Auckland Motors overcame four-time defending champions Bombay 41-20 at Bombay Domain to move within touching distance of confirming top spot heading into the playoffs.
Doug Sanft’s side came through one of their biggest tests of the season – the defending champs at the business end of the season away from home – with flying colours.
The six tries to three win means that one more win from their final three games will secure top spot heading into the semifinals.
“It was some good learnings,” Sanft said. “I am happy with the win but we learned a lot about where we are at and Bombay put us under a lot of pressure especially in the first 50 minutes.
“It felt like a playoff game – it was intense right through the first half. We scored, they scored – it was real tight in the first half but maybe our skill-set stood out in the second half.”
Sanft was particularly happy with the performance of his front row – the starting side and the one that came on as replacements.
Ardmore Marist retained the Counties Power Cup in the process.
Bombay falls to fifth on points differential and have one less game to play than their semifinal rivals.
Karaka moved into a share of fourth place with a vital 22-18 win over Waiuku Brian James Contracting.
The home side found themselves down 13-5 at halftime but produced a spirited second half performance to bag their second successive win.
“I was really pleased with the team’s performance this week,” coach Scott Penney said. “We played a really good Waiuku side that had some injured players back this week and we managed to come out on top.
“I am super proud of the guys.”
Patumahoe Troydon Patumahoe Hotel took a big step towards securing a semifinal spot with a convincing 52-12 win over Onewhero Silver Ferns Marquees at Onewhero Domain.
Patumahoe scored eight tries in the one-sided result including a hat-trick to winger James Brady. Manurewa’s Willie Tuala still tops the AS Wilcox Leaderboard with 16 on the season.
It means Reon Graham’s side jumps ahead of Manurewa to second on the championship ladder.
“The main thing for us is that we spoke all week about how tough Onewhero is at home and how they don’t traditionally give in so we needed a real 80 minute performance,” Graham said.
“We stuck to our patterns really well for the full game.
“Jimmy ran hard all day and played well. Tamati Fromm had a really good game and Palu Ale had his first start in a number of weeks. He ran hard all game and played well defensively.”
The Patumahoe v Karaka match next weekend looms as one of the key match-ups that will have a big outcome on the semifinals.
Pukekohe Mitre 10 Mega got a much-needed win to boost their season after a string of disappointing performances. They proved too classy for Papakura Ray White 37-22 at Colin Lawrie Fields.
It snaps a skid of five losses and a draw for coach Mark Price’s side and
“I think it was hugely important – more for the boys than anything else,” Price said. “It wasn’t so much the win itself but the way the boys won.
“We were under a lot of pressure early on – Papakura came out strong and hit us with some early points. The way the boys bounced back I was really proud of.”
Pukekohe’s win keeps their semifinal hopes alive. With winnable games against Waiuku and Onewhero to go and a grudge match against Bombay, Price’s side remains in with a show of making the top four.
“They know where we are at in regards to the table and we are still not out of it,” Price said. “If we take the last couple of weeks against Manurewa and Ardmore out of the equation we have been really close. They know we are somewhere there.”
Patumahoe Dave Redshaw Electrical thrashed Onewhero Hinemoa Produce 70-0 to collect five vital points in Premier 2 action and hold their spot in the top four. Pukekohe Franklin Long Roofing got back to winning ways – beating Papakura Ray White 65-10 while Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group got a close win over Bombay 33-29. Karaka saw off Waiuku’s challenge with a 33-20 victory.
Weymouth continued their unbeaten run in Premier 3 beating Maramarua 55-10. Te Kauwhata racked up a triple digit win in thrashing Karaka 106-0 while Puni held off Drury 36-34 in a cliffhanger.
Patumahoe Albycon got a crucial 31-22 win over Karaka in Massey Cup action – a replay of last season’s finale. Ardmore Marist Ross Roof Group proved too much for Bombay winning 32-18.
Papakura Ray White took an impressive 41-12 win over Waiuku in the Under 85kg competition. Patumahoe Pak N Save proved too strong for Karaka 32-10 while Pukekohe hammered Onewhero Bottle’O Tuakau 49-5.