Northland Club Rugby 2024
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Well the weather guessers got it wrong, I went along to the Kamo v Wellsford match and she was a blustery wet afternoon of rugby, and judging by the half/full time scores of the other games, many had decent winds about as well.
Kamo started with a strong wind at thier backs and were comfortably ahead 20-0 at the break, they started the 2nd strong into the wind but Wellsford struck 1st and by 56 mins were within striking distance at 20-14.
The 2nd Wellsford try was following some less than smart play by Kamo messing about in thier 22, then almost straight form the re-start Kamo played some smart rugby and hit back to get themselves out of the strike zone.
Wellsford, against the run of play struck again, but was a wide score and the kick was unsuccessful leaving them 8 points shy as they entered the last 10.
The final 6 mins or so was pretty frantic with Kamo almost sealing it, but young fullback Jacob Lowther, who had been solid if underused givin the conditions, was unable to regather the wet ball only 5m out, then several phases later Rene Ranger busted a tackle on his own 22, linked with Matt Wright to storm into Kamo's 22, but for a superb peice of defence by a retreating Kamo and then one of the Wellsford forwards to fumble it at the ruck saw the game finish 27-19.
Were many handling errors today, but also some superb running, although some less than ideal decisions in the conditions at times.
For Wellsford, I liked the look of 12 Herewini Hohepa (assuming they had correct numbers, as Wellsford's 22 looked sharp, but the team sheet didnt have a 22 on it) along with fullback Jayden Kemp, the Wellsford pack struggled at set piece, and even had Rene Ranger packing at 6 alot of the 2nd spell.
For Kamo, prop Iose Brown was always at the head of queue when Ross Wright was charging up, and each time he met Iose, he was stopped, Kamo 8 Jarvaiyas Mangu was busy with ball in hand, while half, Don Boyd was again strong, although still feel he tries to do a bit much. Kamo's pack looks strong although like most teams, lack in height, but will def be there come the finals time.
In the other matches Morewa/KK put OBM away, although looked comfortable at the break, I suspect they turned into the wind and OBM got the points win in the 2nd half.
2 converted tries and 2 penalties in the final 15 minutes saw HH take the win over KK 23-17.
Hikurangi kept Waipu winless with a comfortable win, again, leading well at half time, and Waipu coming back in the 2nd half.
Mid Northern totally dominated the Sharks, and were up 45-0 at the break, but again, I expect must have been a huge wind, and they 'only' won 52-20
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Another sunny autumn day of rugby today.
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Sharks host Waipu, and expect them to win comfortably.
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Kerikeri host leaders Mid Northern, I expect visitors to come away with the win
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Hikurangi host Kamo, who sit in 2nd, Kamo should account for Hikurangi, although they seem a different prospect with big Matt letoga at the back of the scrum.
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Wellsford face winless OBM, who have played some good rugby, but just failed to finish, today might be the day they get thier 1st win of the season.
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Moerewa/Kawakawa sit in 3rd, facing 4th placed HH, I think the hosts will be too strong.
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Unfortunately I wasnt able to make a game today with most out of town.
But looking at the scores, all went as I thought, with MN, Kamo & M/KK retaining thier unbeaten record (that will change next week with MN & M/KK facing)
MN putting 45 on KK, who TBF had thier usual 9 at 10 and Johnny Cooper at 13, but was a bit of a surprise, as was the margin OBM got in thier first win of the season.
Was interesting to see Allen Craig on the bench for MN after playing last night too.
Kamo took a while to get going v Hika, with Matt Letoga picking up 2 early tries that saw them leading for parts of the game.
Sad part is Waipu defaulting, no one likes to see that, but I hear it is being seen more often around the country too, that is concerning.
That said, the games I have been to, have all been well supported by fans, no less than previous years, the odd game, probably better crowds turning up.
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Weather looks a bit dicey for tomorrow, which is a shame with 2 big games on the card that sees 1 v 3 and 2 v 5.
Not yet seen any team sheets.
- Match of the round will be unbeaten MN (1st) taking on unbeaten Moerewa/United Kawakawa (3rd) MN are tracking well despite not being as strong (on paper) as last year, while MM/UKK is chock full of veteran players with a sprinkling of youth, while I expect MN to be too strong, I thnkn M/UKK will be there at the business end of the season
- Wellsford host Hikurangi, after a heavy home loss last week, Wellsford will be out to get back on track, however if Hikurangi have big Matt Letoga at 8 again, I think they will sneak past Wellsford.
- OBM fresh off their big away win over Wellsford will want to keep rolling against HH, who I must say aren’t as good as I thought they should be, although without a decent front row, they will battle, I think this will be tight, but OBM to win it
- Kamo (2nd) still undefeated host 5th place Western Sharks, I think Kamo should take this, while they aren’t the biggest, fastest or best, they have a solid looking team across the board, although their lineout is a bit of a weakness IMO
- Waipu, who defaulted in their away fixture last week, host Kerikeri, the visitors should be too strong for Waipu, who seem to be battling on and off the field this year and last year, after making the final in 2022
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It was a gloomy autumn afternoon, but watching the game updates and checking other reports, there was some excellent matches this afternoon!
Only one game was separated by more than 5 points, and 3 teams remain unbeaten.
The big game between Mid Northern and Moerewa/United Kawakawa ended in a draw, from what I saw, MUKK lead for 75 odd minutes, and at 1 point were 9 points clear, but in the end it was a MUKK penalty at the death that saw the game end 26-26.
I went along to Kamo v Sharks, 1st half Kamo were heading into a stiff breeze and was almost 20 minutes before they opened the scoring through young wing Jacob Lowther, they stretched thier lead further after #8 Jarvaiyas Mangu busted several tackles before out pacing the cover defence to put them out to 12-0.
The Sharks hit back almost immediately with a nicely worked try to fullback Josiah Povey, the unsuccessful kick would see the half end 12-5.
The Sharks, despite turning to face the wind hit back soon after the restart to tie things up at 12 all.
Kamo then made some great in roads through thier pack, and after going close a couple of times, prop Iose Brown stepped a defender and scored next to the uprights to put Kamo back in front.
The Sharks werent done, as they hit back soon after, they also had several chances with bruising lock Inoke Tavatu shrugging defenders aside as he stormed toward the line, then somehow, Kamo's 6 Harry Lowther bought him down just short, before they ended up scoring several phases later to again, draw level.
Now inside the final 10, with the scores tied up at 19-19, Kamo won a penalty about 25 out, right in the middle of the field, and for some reason, they went for the corner...now they did win 2 further consecutive penalties at the lineout maul, then at a scrum, only to turn around and concede a dumb penalty to allow the Sharks off the hook.
However, playing into the wind, the Sharks were unable to clear too far, and further waves of attack lead to the visitors making an error giving Kamo a scrum 5m out, from there Jayden Laupepe, thier normal fullback playing 9 crashed over his opposite to score the match winner, and with other results, go to the top of the table.
For Kamo, Ben Monaghan played very well, carried strongly, tackled and was a good target in thier lineout, Blake Hohaia did well playing at FB, while young Jacob Lowther showed some glimpses of class on the wing.
The Sharks who field a pretty decent sized forward pack were unable to utilise that advantage, even with big Inoke Tavatu and hard running midfielder Jone Mateiwai hitting the ball up, they were often met and bought down. Tavutu was also very busy at breakdowns and made some crucial tackles.
Fullback Josiah Povey showed good pace and looked dangerous when he got the ball, while young Lucas Payne showed his extreme pace on occasion, sadly, usually only chasing kicks rather than with ball in hand.
In the other games:
- Wellsford managed to come from behind to stop Hikurangi
- OBM comfortably accounted for Hora Hora
- Waipu nabbed thier first win of the season
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Another nice afternoon for some club footy today, that, in contrast to all the tight games last week, this week saw some bigger scores in all games.
I went along to watch Hora Hora host Mid Northern who alongside Kamo & Moerewa/United Kawakawa still remain unbeaten after 6 rounds.
Game started well, and the home sides loose trio of Rory Woods, Jaycob Matiu and Terrell Peita were keeping HH in the game, with Peita and Woods in particular prominent on both sides of the ball.
For Mid Northern, thier pack set the platform, led as always by Jordan Olsen, playing at 8 today.
Jade Stewart at 10 controlled the game well, while thier locking duo of Terepai King and Darcy Holwell were busy on both sides of the ball.
MN were up 28-7 at the break, although the game was closer than that, but the 2nd half saw the injection of Rob Rush who made his impact felt at the first few rucks he cleaned out and showed his step up in quality.
HH hit back early in the 2nd half when Peita bagged a double, but MN hit back immediately, and then a 4 try spell in 15 mins from about 60 mins put the game away, although HH 8 Rory Woods had the final say as they went down 51-19.
For HH, Woods and Peita were prominent in the 1st half, while Woods maintained this, Peita was a bit quieter in the 2nd, Kobie Scutt and Kobie Walters both had thier moments for the home side.
MN seem to be playing well as a team, with no real standouts in the 1st spell, Kiwi Duncan had his moments but sometimes his decision making lets him down, although scored a cracker of a solo try in the 2nd spell with great stepping off both feet to beat defenders and gas to finish.
In the 2nd half, centre Zac Shanks who is usually a loosie showed some classy with ball in hand and deceptive pace, while Jade Stewart had a good game guiding them around at 10, while Rob Rush was into everything as you'd expect with a player of his calibre, props Lemisio and Apoua both had thier moments to show thier running skills while they ensured MN had a dominant set piece.
All the other results were as expected, although score lines bigger than I'd expected and a couple blowouts, none moreso than the MUKK v Waipu where the scores were tight at 17-13 at half time.
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Couple of good games set down for tomorrow.
With 3 teams still unbeaten, 2 of them face off with top of the table Kamo hosting Moerewa/United Kawakawa, while the other unbeaten team, Mid Northern host Old Boys Marist, who have hit some good form in the past few weeks, and thier early season losses were close losses as well.
I'm going along to the Kamo match and without seeing the M/UKK lineup, Kamo have a couple of injuries, so I reckon M/UKK could nab the W tomorrow to tighten that top 3 up further.
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Brilliant afternoon for rugby, and the Kamo v Moerewa/United Kawakawa match was a pearler!
MUKK started off with a hiss and roar, looking like they'd run away scoring twice inside the first 10 against the best defence in the comp to lead 12-0.
But just inside 20 mins, Kamo struck back to get on the board, and it would be another 15 mins before either team scored again, and it was Kamo that scored to have the game go to the break at 10-12.
The 2nd half was a tight affair, based on some excellent defence by both sides, but particularly MUKK who spent the majority of the 2nd half defending in thier half, with alot inside the 22 as well.
Kamo took the lead with a penalty as they headed into the final quarter 13-12.
But the drama of the final 10 made a very good game, an excellent one!
Blake Hohaia was harshly (IMO) yellow carded as MUKK made a rare visit to the Kamo half, multiple attack phases were repelled and MUKKwere held up over the line, Kamo cleared to the half way.
But after winning the subsequent lineout with 4 mins on the clock, MUKK scored what should have been the match winner as one of thier reserve props scored on the wing as Kamo's defence ran out of men.
But Kamo werent done, they contested the restart, forced a turnover, and then won a penlty only 5 out, and MUKK also conceded a YC.
Several more phases of attack ensued before halfback Donald Boyd crashed over to put Kamo back in front, the conversion made it 20-17, leaving a mere 10 sec on the clock.
Kamo regathered the restart, thier centre ran it to the side and punted it out, only for the ref to call a lineout with 2 seconds left...MUKK were unable to secure thier lineout, and the game ended, with Kamo maintaining thier unbeaten run.
For Kamo, Blake Hohaia continues to be rocks and diamonds, similarly half Donald Boyd with his strong running and defence, only to be let down with poor decisions, Jayden Laupepe was a threat at the back, while Mason Hohaia ran hard into the physical defence all day.
For MUKK Ryan Nankivell stood out at 10, great boot, good pace, but like the rest of his backs, didnt see enough ball in the 2nd half. Half Ilai Arona was a threat darting from rucks and scrums, while veteran Buster Tahere was a menace with ball in hand and knocking back the Kamo runners
Other results:
Mid Northern continued thier winning ways over OBM 25-7
Waipu snuck a late win over Hora Hora 25-22
The Sharks were too strong for Hika winning 17-34
Wellsford also won it at the death over Kerikeri 21-19
Kamo still top the table with Mid Northern undefeated but a draw to blemish thier record as they open a gap on 3rd and 4th, I think Kamo and MN will face off in 2 weeks.
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Some big scores in todays round, none moreso than Mid Northern destroying Waipu, that saw Kiwi Duncan score 5 tries, while Moerewa-United Kawakawa got past 80 but conceded 40 themselves!
Kamo keep thier spot at the top of the table with a win over Hora Hora to remain unbeaten, but the real challenge will be next week when they host Mid Northern.
Sharks round out the top 4 with a win over OBM in the only game that I wasnt sure where the result would go.
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Big game tomorrow with Kamo (1) playing (2) Mid Northern, both teams unbeaten, although MN have not won all games like Kamo, while MN have a huge points diff, seeing them score considerably more and concede less per game.
On paper, MN should be far too strong, particularly up front, but the Kamo pack keeps fronting up, the backs are probably a bit more even all round, but with some nice weather forecast, I hope it is a cracker!
The other games should all go as expected with clear victors, except maybe the Wellsford/HH game which could go either way.
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On a sad day for Northland Rugby and probably more so, the Mid Northern club following the passing of legend Sid Going, thier prem side stepped up in the warm autumn sun in front of a healthy crowd, handed Kamo thier first defeat of the year, taking the lollies 43-26.
The game started pretty evenly, with Kamo making all the play, but as seemed the way for most of the game, MN got out of trouble, got down the other end and scored.
First score was on a 30m run from prop Chris Apoua where he finished by running over the fullback.
It would be another 15 minutes before Kamo got on the scoreboard as Rob Rush tried to put in a kick that was charged down and regathered by flanker Harry Lowther to run another 40m to score.
Soon after, some great MN forward work had Kamo sprawled all over and Rob Rush ran through 3 players on his way to regain the lead, and then right on the stroke of halftime, Kiwi Duncan showed his express pace to run in from about 40m as MN went into the break up 17-5.
MN put the heat on early in the 2nd through lock Terepai King, picking up the first of his 3 tries, but Kamo was hanging in with thier reserve hooker Blake Haora who was on much earlier than expected with an early injury as they tried to stay in touch as MN threatened to run away.
Terepai King then scored again, and several minutes later his locking partner Darcy Holwell picked up his own under the sticks to seal the win at 36-12 and threaten to run away with it.
Kamo didnt drop thier game as halfback Donald Boyd bagged two tries in the last 10 to show his strength and pace, while surely the try of the match was a 110m effort by MN that was finished by King.
Kamo were hot on attack, and looked for all money to score, but somehow Kiwi Duncan managed to nab the ball behind the tryline and ran across to clear the defence and then broke to the 22 before passing and then the ball was punted down field. Terepai King with a start over Duncan showed a clean pair of heels to regather on the 22 with only Duncan as competition for the ball to round out a great afternoon for the big man.
Kamo just made too many errors at crucial times and were punished, often resulting in points.
For the visitors, Rob Rush always stands out, although had a couple of moments he wont be happy with, Zac Shanks, Chris Apoua, Remsy Lemisio were all very busy, Duncan has all the ingredients to move up through the ranks, raw pace and power, just needs to be moulded. Jordan Olsen back at hooker for this game was into everything as always, this dude just keeps on throwing his body into everything.
For Kamo, prop Iose Brown gave MN reasons not to run at him, but they did, and kept getting knocked back, and he formed part of a solid front row performance against a much stronger outfit with 3 NPC players in opposition. Kamo's loose trio had thier moments and worked hard, but werent able to keep up the intensity for 80, while Donald Boyd at 9 and Nikau Graham at 10 were key for Kamo.
Both sides had a few players scratched due to illness or injury, so it may give Kamo a glimmer that they can be much better as both teams will no doubt have one eye already on a semi final spot.
In the other games, all went as expected, although the Wellsford - HH game was a higher scoring game than I thought, and apparently Rene Ranger was playing at 9 and put in a good showing, while Liam Hallam-Eames and Jordan Hyland made rare appearances, apparently for Wellsford hooker, Stuart Oldfields 300th match, so was a great result for him.
Former team mates, Harry Lowther and Darcy Holwell compete in the air
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Mid Northern maintain thier hold on top spot beating neighbours, Moerewa-United Kawakawa, while a little surprising, Kamo beat the Sharks to hold onto 2nd spot.
It is hard to see anyone stopping Mid Northern wining the title again this year, they are looking too strong in the forwards, while having some strike power out wide.
All other results went as expected, although the score blow out for OBM over HH was a surprise, HH despite thier off-season acquisitions have been very disappointing this year.
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Funny one in Dargaville, Sharks vs Kamo.
Kamo no B team and still went uncontested after 35 minutes after sharks pulverized the scrum.
I have never seen such a dominate team lose the match, Sharks must've dropped 7 tries. Kamo has no forward pack but get by with a very tidy kicking game and just working for the 80 minutes.
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@muddyriver to be fair, thier pack has done pretty well this season in the games I have seen, but they are pretty small compared to most other packs.
Yeah must suck for the Sharks reserves with back to back win by default, I believe last weekend they (Kamo) had a few illnesses and injuries and were close to defaulting then too.
Thier starting hooker vs the Sharks has been starting at 7 and one of thier reserve team props started on Saturday, but yeah going uncontested takes such a big part out of the game.
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Club rugby back on this weekend after giving everyone the weekend off last week to have a brew for the King!
All results went to script today, and as I suspected, the Old Boys Marist v Wellsford game would be a close game with them placed 5th and 6th respectively.
Was a dull and damp afternoon, but both teams played with the endeavour you expect from this level of rugby, and OBM held on a late surge from Wellsford to win 25-19.
OBM will be happy they could give prop Troy Cullen, playing his 300th game the right result, while lock Trevor Attwood bought up his 100 as well.
Despite the conditions the handling was decent for most of the game as both sides looked to use the space.
For OBM, Nathan Salmon was always a willing runner and good in contact playing at 12, while putting in some work on defence. Mitchell Reader put in a good shift at 7, while Sam Caird looked good gettign through his usual amount of work in the tight.
Wellsford had thier moments but couldnt capitalise, a couple occasiosn poor decision making in the red zone, althugh scored a few phases later anyway.
Liam Hallam-Eames, like his opposite Caird, showed his class and work rate, halfback Jayden Kemp was looking good in the 1st half, didnt seem injured but Rene Ranger replaced him at 9 in the 2nd and they lost a bit of the speed and accuracy he provided. Matt Wright and Shay Te Haara were good for Wellsford at the back.
Trainor didnt see much ball, but as soon as Trainor made a good searching run, he went into heavy contact and hobbled off.
Ross Wright had just moved from hooker to LH to accommodate Matt Moulds entry to the game, Wellsford destrpyed OBM but as the scrum went down, Wright appeared to have disloacted his shoulder.
Hora Hora were not able to give Doug Te Puni Jnr the win as he notched up 200 games as they went down.
Mid Northern and Kamo hold thier spots at the top while Moerewa-United Kawakawa and the Western Sharks open a gap up from 5th as the top 4 is looking pretty set.
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A nice warm afternoon for some rugby!
So I headed along to watch Old Boys-Marist host MOerewa-United Kawakawa.
I mentioned last week that it was Troy Cullen and Trevor Attwoods 300th and 100th, that was actually today.
MUKK started strong, dominating all facets of the game, picking up penalty scores, before another attack broke down, the ball gathered by Nathan Salmon who quickly moved it to fullback Judah Andrews who galloped 60m to score an opportunist try.
MUKK hit back almost straight away to assert their hold on the game with 1st 5 Ryan Nankivell picking up a try to go with his 3 pens and conversion as MUKK took a 21-12 lead into the break.
Soon after the break, Hoani Reid who was all over his opposite scored a well worked try to stretch thier lead 26-12.
OBM kept in the game and despite numerous silly errors in the red zone started to take control as Trevor Attwood picked up a try to celebrate his ton and get OBM back in the game.
Inside the last 10, OBM picked up another try to draw level, and then Judah Andrews nailed a penalty 2 mins from time to take the cookies, in what was an upset in terms of table positions.
MUKK has a well drilled pack, lead from the front by veteran Justin Davies who wound back the clock as he carried strongly, lock Bodene Davis and 6 Reece Depoff were both excellent, huge motors and just keep going. Nankivell controlled this well at 10, while centre Hoani Reid had soem nice touches after a poor start.
For OBM, thier pack worked hard, with capatain mitchell reader playing at 7 into everything, ensuring MUKK had to work to get quick ball, Caird was also to the fore with his work on both sides. Halfback Austin Ryburn worked hard and did well despite the attention he was getting from the big MUKK pack.
Tevita Latu, in his first outing for OBM (new Northland signing I believe) looked pretty sharp when he finally got some ball at 11, and even better when they pushed him into 12. OBM fullback Judah Andrews was excellent running the ball back and put in some good last line tackles too.
All in all, and excellent game of rugby, MUKK play a fast agressive style of rugby, and have been involved in many of the best games I have watched in the past couple of seasons, they seem to bring the best out of thier opposition, but kudos to them for how they try to play the game!
Other results went as expected, although many tight results, table topping Mid Northern and Kamo both trailed for parts of thier games, while KK had fought back from a big deficit against HH only for Dan Hawkins to nail a pen to steal it.
MN & Kamo look set at the top, while that loss bought MUKK back a bit as OBM bought themselves into striking distance of the Sharks.
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A cold and dull afternoon for rugby, although no one told Old Boys Marist who hit the field running in thier clash with Kamo.
Inside 15 minutes OBM pretty much sealed the game against the hosts, Kamo as they pushed out to 24-0.
Some superb running, pin point kicks, passes, handling, OBM were sublime, Kamo simply had no answer, and then they finally looked to be getting back, OBM intercepted the pass and galloped 50m to score.
Kamo started to get some ball late in the half, and playing catch up rugby, that unfortunately meant they had to push passes and take risks that resulted in errors, but the half ended seeing them trailing 7-31.
Kamo started the 2nd half strongly, but again having to push passes and making some poor decisions meant they werent able to make the required in-roads into the defence, especially with them struggling to win a lineout.
Even the last 10 as Kamo pushed for a losing BP, they made some very poor errors that saw them fall short of getting anything from the game as they went down 19-31.
For OBM the opening 20 with Tevita Latu running and kicking superbly from 12, while wing Nathan Salmon showed his strength and pace as he opened up the Kamo defence, while Judah Andrews was again strong at the back. In the pack Sam Caird, Mitchell Reader and Trevor Attwood were excellent on both sides.
Werent too many standouts for Kamo with numerous players making errors, Mason Hohaia was excellent around the park, but his throwing at lineout time just wasnt good enough, props Iose Brown and Todd McDowell were good with ball in hand and made thier tackles.
In the backs, most had mixed bags, and a couple had games they will want to forget, but Blake Hohaia almost singlehandedly got Kamo back into the match with some incisive running and good direction, although late in the game, it looked like in complete frustration he took OBM FB Judah Andrews off the ball, starting a bit of a scuffle that saw about 10 or more players involved...if cameras were there, I think a couple of cards would have been shown, 1 to each side, but the game ended 15 v 15.
Looking at the table, that result is an upset, but when you cast your eye over the 2 teams, OBM look much stronger.
Other results as expected:
Ngati-Hine United Kawakawa 34 - Kerikeri 12
Waipu 3 - Wellsford 61
Hora Hora 21 - Western Sharks 35
Mid Northern 48 - Hikurangi 19The final playoff for 4th will likely hinge on 1 game next week, where the Sharks host MUKK which is 4 v 3, Sharks win, they make the top 4, while OBM face struggling Kerikeri.
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Final games of the round robin were played in warm winter conditions, with only 1 match having any bearing on the top 4.
That was where 4th placed Sharks hosted 3rd placed Moerewa United Kawakawa...simple equation for the Sharks, win and finish 4th, earn the chance to face Mid Northern.
The Sharks won comfortably in the end, 36-18 and extinguishing the hopes Olb Boys Marist fans had of sneaking into the top 4.
With only 1 match being played in town today, I went along to get my first look at struggling Waipu as they visited Kamo.
Kamo, no doubt keen to get back to their winning ways after last weekend loss, were up 19-0 within 15 minutes, and it clearly evident why Waipu were sitting at the foot of the table.
Kamo would take the match 65-0, which is rather sad when I think back in 2020 waipu won thier first ever title, and were losing finalists the following year, but have fallen a long way.
They have some quality players, unfortunately, not nearly enough of them.
Number 7 Saimoni Uluinakauvadra was very strong in the 1st half, carrying, cleaning and defending, but was all but non-existant in the 2nd half, while hooker Cody Aull was very good, I think he is in his 1st season out of school, very strong in contact, both with and without the ball while also threw very well to an undersized lineout.
Was hard to get much from Kamo, as too many players in opposition missed plenty of easy tackles, but normal half, Donald Boyd ran the ship at 10 today, and did a fine job too, flanker Lyric Joyce was full of running and a menace at the breakdown, Fullback Jayden Laupepe and again, Blake Hohaia were prominent igniting attacks from deep in thier own territory.
Other results:
Mid Northen 48 Wellsford 5
Hikurangi 32 Hora Hora 33
Kerikeri 12 Old Boys Marist 53Top 4 as the table shows, unless there is a convoluted way of splitting 3rd & 4th, as they won 1 each against each other, MUKK with the superior points diff.
Will all be academic though, I can't see anyone stopping Mid Northern picking up another title.
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Semi final day in a chilly and damp Whangarei where Kamo were hosting Morewa UNited Kawakawa and the other semi, Mid Northern hosted the Sharks.
I went to the Kamo game, and the home side flew out of the blocks and were up 22-0 inside 30 mins with some clinical rugby and they took every opportunity presented, while MUKK left thier kicking boots up North, kicking no less than 4 penalties either touch in goal of missed touch completely in that same period.
Blake Hohaia playing at 10 was assured, nailing his kicks for territory while also his and his packs probing runs ensured Kamo were always moving forward.
By the time the big MUKK pack got into the game, it was all but over, and as they looked to be puttign some heat on, winger Jacob Lowther, fresh off a 5 or 6 week injury lay off plucked a ball out about 10m, sprinted 80 before he was caught, but the damage was done with Kamo scoring several phases later and sealing the game.
This was a massive game for the less favoured Kamo pack, muscling up to the big MUKK pack, but for a penalty try off one scrum, this game was won up front early on by Kamo.
The 9-10 axis of Donald Boyd and Blake Hohaia were central to alot of Kamos play, while Fullback Jayden Laupepe was dangerous with ball in hand, while in the pack all the forwards put thier hand up to carry, clean and tackle whenever the MUKK players ran at them.
MUKK fall short again of the big dance, but they are a team with alot of ticker, built around the likes of Buster Tahere, Justin Davies & Warren Dunn, with some younger players like Illai Arona, Hoani Reid, Ryan Nankivell shining, hope they can keep at the top of the tree playing a physical expansive game!
With the final score of 32-17, Kamo are off to the big dance next week to face the Western Sharks, who handed Mid Northern thier 1st loss of the season today, taking the win 38-33 in what looked like a cracking match looking at the scoring timeline!
The Sharks caused a huge upset beating a Mid Northern side stacked with NPC players, who I have said all season would be tough to stop winning the championship.
Looking at the scoring timeline, the game was tight, with the Sharks striking early, but MN hit back and lead throughout until about 68 mins when the Sharks hit the front, but then took the lead back in the 76th, only for the Sharks to score again minutes from the end to earn a spot in the final.
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Club final played in fine but chilly conditions at Okara Park between Kamo & the Western Sharks.
Kamo managed to hang on to take the lollies 26-20, but not without a final minute scare with time pretty much up, Kamo continued to press into the Sharks 22 and coughed the ball up, Sharks winger Lucas Payne took it 60m downfield, but eventually Kamo got the ball and put it into touch.
The Sharks were first to draw blood after a poor option to pass by FB Jayden Laupepe went to ground and Sharks Hooker Jordan Hutchings galloped 30m to score.
Kamo bounced back, after turning down 2 easy shots at goal, eventually crashed over in the corner to even the score.
2 further penalties from Laupepe saw Kamo stretch thier lead, and then right on the stroke of halftime a missed kick to touch by the Sharks saw Kamo regather on the halfway, some nice passing and Mason Hohaia went in the corner to take a 16-5 lead.
An early intercept from Kamo's 7, Zae Mangu saw them stretch thier lead further, although the try was scored under the posts, the conversion was missed.
The Sharks hit back almost immediately from a cleverly worked lineout between lively halfback Jack Bradley and Hutchings, that ended with HUtchings showing good pace to go over for his 2nd.
With Kamo's lead narrowed to 21-10, the Sharks hit again through some great footwork and pace from winger Aseri Vatuinaruku to leave his opposite clutching air.
With the score at 21-15, with less than 20 to go and the Sharks bigger pack in the ascendancy, Kamo 9 Donald Boyd struck after some nice quick hands to push out to 26-15.
Inside the last 5 minutes, flanker Michael Frood struck again for the Sharks to move within a score at 20-26.
That would be the final score but the drama wasn't over, as above a poor option to run the ball with time seemingly up almost opened the door for the Sharks, although it appeared to me that that Sharks also knocked the ball in the movement, the ball was regathered and passed to Lucas Payne, and this kid is quick, but form where I was sitting, he didnt back himself as I thought he had the space to go the length of the field.
Instead he chipped ahead with Blake Hohaia closing, Kamo regathered the ball, and this time put the ball into touch.
As I said, was a scrappy game, both teams with 4 tries, zero conversions from either side, 2 of Kamo's were right in front, the Sharks will also rue thier poor kicking from hand, at least 2 missed touch on penalties, while other poor kicking gave possession and field position back to Kamo.
For Kamo, halfback Donald Boyd was one of thier best, good strength and pass getting himself out of trouble ona few times he took the wrong option, in the forwards, the smaller Kamo loosies worked hard. A few of thier backs were very much rocks and diamonds, including Blake Hohaia, Alec Tipene and Jayden Laupepe.
For the Sharks, hooker Jordan Hutchings was to the fore, as was Matt Matich, although moreso in the 2nd half, while halfback Brady showed good pace but was unable to connect with his team to capitalise on the breaks. Aseri Vatuinaruku rarely saw the ball, which is a shame, as he is an electric runner and the 2 or 3 occasions he did get it, he was the spark for something.
