Club rugby is underway and what better way to start than how we did under a big blue sky Saturday afternoon. Matches across the region capturing the attention of the communities with a few upsets and a couple big scores but in large, a number of quality close matches kicking off 2024.

Hautapu Premiers got their 2023 title defense off to the best possible start with a strong 32-24 win over Hamilton Old Boys at Fred Jones Park. Hautapu ran in four tries to Hamilton Old Boys’ three to take a hard-fought win in to start 2024. United Matamata Sports got their George Simpkin Power Farming Shield defense off to a good start running in five tries to Morrinsville Sports two to win 39-21. United Matamata Sports will take on fellow week one winners Te Awamutu Sports at Bedford Park who picked up a strong home win over Fraser Tech 20-12 which many people have picked as the upset of week one. Hamilton Marist cashed in on an under-strength University side running in nine tries with five eight Wharenui Hawera dialed in off the tee kicking 9 goals from 9 attempts with the visitors winning 63-27. On the live stream Otorohanga travelled into town taking on Melville at Collins Road, in what was a tight contest throughout the first 40minutes, Otorohanga were too strong in the second 40 winning 29-16.

Division 1 kicked into gear with all sides getting their season underway, while Taupiri got to hang out under the maunga for one more week and will get their season underway this weekend. Suburbs put the Reineck Cup up for grabs when they travelled across the Pukete Bridge playing Te Rapa at St Andrews Park picking up a 47-12 victory, while 2023 Mooloo Shield winners Putaruru hosted Pirongia winning 29-7 getting there title defense off to a good start. Big and comfortable wins for Hinuera, Southern United & Leamington over their respective opponents see them sitting atop of the Div 1 ladder. Hinuera travelled to Swarbrick Park to run in eight tries over Frankton winning 50-0 while Leamington hosted Ohaupo winning 50-0. Southern United made the first trip to Morrinsville for Division 1 rugby in a number of seasons picking up a big 110-0 victory over 2024 newcomers Kereone.

The Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership got underway with just the one match-up due to Kihikihi defaulting to Otorohanga Thursday night. It was a finals rematch between Hamilton Old Boys’ Huskies vs rivals Melville at Wiloughby Park. A bit of a rebuild year for the Huskie’s while they currently have a number of ladies suiting up for the Chiefs Manawa, Melville took the early opportunity to get a upset win over the Huskies winning 29-19.

The Waitomo Group Women’s Championship got underway with five new teams into the competition – all five of those teams putting in performances they will be very proud of been first game for many of their players. Newcomers Suburbs hosted 2023 Championship winners Taupiri at Flagstaff Park with a strong 31-19 season opening win while fellow newcomers Pirongia hosted Hauraki in a tight back and forth contest with Hauraki winning 40-31.

Hautapu Sports were also making their debut appearance in the Championship beating last year’s Championship finalists United Matamata Sports 22-17 in the tightest match up of the weekend. Wrapping up a solid day at Nola Block Park Putaruru had a strong showing winning 72-7 over the travelling Waitete side.

Finally, the Colts Elliott Shield season got underway with defending champions Hamilton Marist hosting Fraser Tech at Marist Park winning 85-5 in a 13 try route. Wrapping up a successful day at Flagstaff Park alongside the Women’s Championship was the colts winning 29-5 over Leamington. Thames Valley’s Rugby United grounded out a tough first up victory over Hinuera 29-27 while Hamilton Old Boys & University could not be split with a 17 all draw. Pirongia sneaked in late with a 22-21 win over United Matamata Sports at Pirongia Domain.

The Under 85kg grade kicks off this coming weekend .

For full result and competition standings click here.

Article added: Monday 08 April 2024