While we enjoyed nice dry weather Saturday afternoon, it was a typical cool winter’s day across the Waikato. Games well supported with rugged up spectators enjoying all the action across our club rugby competitions.

Waikato Draught Breweries Shield

Hamilton Old Boys were back home facing off against Otorohanga. A big game for both sides as Otorohanga were still chasing a first win in the second round, while Old Boys were eager to keep pace with the front runners following their week one bye. It didn’t start well and as planned for the home side with the visitors building a strong lead by the half time.

An interception from Otorohanga right winger Peceli Vereti who went 95 meters untouched right on the stroke of half time would have been enough for the away fans to chalk a win up on the road. Hamilton Old Boys, however, are a different side from the opening rounds.

A strong second half showing from the home men saw hooker Kaleb Saxon dot down for a hattrick of tries before a late comeback from Otorohanga saw the game locked up at 32-32 on full time.

The draw sees Hamilton Old Boys sit second below Hamilton Marist and above Hautapu who currently sit in third – who will await Hamilton Old Boys this weekend for a big two v three match-up in Cambridge. Otorohanga sit in fourth and will host fifth placed University this weekend back at Island Reserve as the students come off a bye this past weekend.

The other match-up saw Hamilton Marist host Hautapu in the later 4pm kick off time at Marist Park. Hamilton Marist continued the trend winning 33-17 in front of a good home crowd. Another strong outing by fullback Fletcher Morgan from the boot saw him add a further 13 points to his round two points scoring tally to sit in second place behind United Matamata Sports’ Logan Allen who continues to lead the points scoring charts.

Lone Star Championship

A shuffle to the points table in the wash up following a couple big matches in the Lone Star Championship. Heading into the weekend Melville topped the ladder with two wins from two but they could not maintain that perfect record going down to Fraser Tech 36-28 at Mill Street in a back-and-forth battle. While United Matamata Sports shot up the ladder with another strong win at home to make it back-to-back wins at Bedford Park over Morrinsville Sports 41-24.

Outscoring the away side six tries to two, it was the boot of Morrinsville Sports’ James Blackett that kept his team’s points ticking over with four penalty kicks and sole conversions, finishing with 14 points off the boot. It was the continual tries that Morrinsville Sports were letting United Matamata Sports in with that ultimately ensured they stayed winless in 2024 for another week.

The competition’s leading point scorer Logan Allen again clocked up a handful of points off the boot converting four from six conversions, adding a penalty and dotting down for a try of his own ending with a game high of 16 points.

Women’s Championship Final

Putaruru completed the perfect season with a strong 31-10 victory at home over Suburbs. In what was a great day for the South Waikato township hosting all their teams at home and earning themselves promotion in 2025 to the Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership.

The two best teams in the Championship had found themselves in the main event and it sure was a battle between the best two sides. Putaruru had gone the season unbeaten while Suburbs’ only defeat had been at the hands of Putaruru earlier in the season.

Running in five tries to two the home side were always on top and worthy winners of the 2024 Championship. A double to fullback Melina Salale and a strong kicking game by center Bostyn Brown ensured the home side were always in control and the trophy never really looked like going anywhere other than Putaruru.

Division 1Mooloo Shield

Southern United showed their title credentials with a strong showing at home winning 38-3 over Ohaupo. Running in six tries and shutting out the away side to just a sole penalty kick at goal. Fullback Gonalo Carrizo heads up the points scoring charts after the first week and sits on 16 points with his two tries and three conversions off the tee.

For the second week in a row Leamington and Hinuera squared off at Leamington’s home ground. Last week it was a strong 40-22 win for the home side. This week Hinuera came to town with other ideas looking to square the ledger – and they did, a solid 32-19 win for Hinuera got their second round off to a good start.

Putaruru rounded out a great day for the club with a tight 22-18 win over Suburbs in what was a hattrick of wins for Putaruru over Suburbs on Saturday afternoon. Running in four tries the home side were too hard to handle for the Hamilton side. Suburbs’ fullback Andrew Carney did all he could with a couple penalty kicks and one conversion off the tee but ultimately the four tries to Putaruru were too much for the away side to claw back.

Division 1 Championship

Just the two matches in the Division One Championship. Taupiri winning at home 57-0 over Kereone and Te Rapa also winning at home 41-14 over Pirongia – both sides putting on more comprehensive performances than they did the last time they played their respective opponents.

Taupiri’s Jacob Hamilton had a day to remember running in three tries while halfback John Chalklen kicked six from nine attempts off the tee.

Colts

Hautapu ended the season atop of the Colts Competition and have earned themselves home play-off matches if they continue their winning form.

Hamilton Marist kicked off the Colts competition with a 12noon kick off vs Thames Valley’s Rugby United doing all they could in the hope of jumping Hautapu for top spot to end the round. Running in nine tries the Hamilton Marist boys were too good for the Thames Valley lads with doubles to Ben Gordon and Wesley Curulala in the midfield proving to be too difficult to handle while young first five Levi Cressy-Baggott continue to lead the way in the competition points scoring charts with seven conversions from nine attempts.

It was up to Hautapu to respond and record a bonus point to ensure they finished the round top of the pops. Hosting Suburbs at Cambridge’s Memorial Park, it was the home side who ran in six tries to two winning 37-12 and taking top spot of the Colts competition heading into the playoffs.

Other matches saw Hamilton Old Boys win on the road vs United Matamata Sports 36-7 in a game that ensure they maintained their position inside the top four, while third placed finishers Pirongia won in a tight battle 39-31 over Morrinsville Sports.

Fraser Tech hosted Leamington at Elliot Park with the visitors winning 32-7, while Hinuera won at home 34-5 over the University lads.

Under 85kgs

Top of the table Morrinsville Sports hosted Melville at our Campbell Park winning 21-7 while Fraser Tech secured second spot on the ladder with a tight 16-7 win over Hamilton Marist at Marist Park. In what was a tight match, Peni Vulaono was the only Tech man to cross the line with the boot of Troy Hona kicking three penalties and the conversion keeping his side at arms length.

Kio Kio wrapped up their season with a comprehensive win over Leamington in Cambridge to record their second win of the season outscoring the home side 33-5.

Article added: Monday 24 June 2024