Another week in the bag for club rugby and our first taste of winter weather for the 2024 season was well received across the region. A lucky few teams experienced a mostly dry afternoon, but for many, wet weather footy was on the menu.

In the Waikato Draught Men’s Premiership Hamilton Marist, Otorohanga, Hautapu and Te Awamutu Sports made it two wins from two starts, while University got their season on track with a tight 9-8 win over Hamilton Old Boys. Hamilton Marist made it two from two running in 10 tries vs Melville winning 73-0. Newly recruited Shauncy Waho has continued his try scoring run from 2023 starting the season with a hat trick, with first five Wharenui Hawera kicking at 80% off the tee. Otorohanga hosted Morrinsville Sports at the Island Reserve for their first home game of the year, winning 40-12 in what were challenging conditions. The home side was too strong running in six tries to Morrinsville’s two.

Fraser Tech made the trip out to Cambridge to take on a strong Hautapu side, looking to bounce back from a week one defeat Fraser Tech battled defensively conceding five tries in the 27-14 defeat. Te Awamutu Sports featured on the live stream taking on United Matamata Sports for the George Simpkin Power Farming Trophy. In what was a tight back and forth battle where the United Matamata Sports went in to the half time break down by two, it was the experience of Te Awamutu Sports’ Taha Kemara & Cody Nordstrom steadying the ship guiding there side to a 25-20 win to take home the George Simpkin Power Farming Trophy.

Rounding out the weekend was University getting their first win of the season over Hamilton Old Boys 9-8 in what were very challenging and wet conditions at the University. Three penalties to Jack Harding was enough to get his side across the line and consign Hamilton Old Boys to back to back defeats to start 2024.

In the Division 1 Competition Putaruru, Southern United and Hinuera remain the only unbeaten sides in 2024. Putaruru picking up a quality win in their 2023 finals rematch vs Leamington 43-12 at Leamington Domain in Cambridge. Southern United made their biggest trip of the year heading north to Taupiri in what was Taupiri’s first match following a week one bye. Defensively Southern United were sound holding Taupiri try-less and crossing the line for three of their own winning 19-3 at Murphy Lane.

Kereone made big strides throughout the last week. Hosting Pirongia at Campbell Park the home side crossed for their first five pointer of the year via hooker Stuart Hooker. Pirongia were ultimately too strong winning 33-5 with a double to fullback Eparama Nadru and four from five off the tee for first five Graham Wade.

Making trips into Hamilton has become a habit the last fortnight for Hinuera, picking up two wins from two the men from Wealleans Park are enjoying those post-match bus rides home. Back home in week three they will look to kick off the season when they host fellow unbeaten side Southern United in front of their loyal home supporters.

Rounding out the weekend was Frankton hosting Ohaupo. Following a tough opening round loss to Hinuera, Frankton battled once again in week two conceding 50 points in consecutive weekends. Like in week one, the home side battled on defense letting Ohaupo cross the line for eight tries while not been able to convert the little pressure they could apply. Ohaupo bounced back strong after their own week one loss to Leamington in Cambridge.

The Waitomo Group Women’s Premiership saw two convincing score-lines for both the away sides. Hamilton Old Boys’ Huskies made the trip to Otorohanga after a week one loss to Melville scoring four tries to win 24-0. Ana Marsters dotted down twice, while Aaliyah Konui and Montessa Tairakena scored one try apiece. Like the Huskies, University travelled south, calling in at Kihikihi. Kicking off the season with their first game of the year, the University ladies won 34-0 in wet, challenging conditions south of Te Awamutu.

In the Waitomo Group Women’s Championship, it was back-to-back wins for Putaruru, Hautapu and Suburbs. Putaruru ladies making it three from three for the Nola Block club winning 20-12 up in Taupiri. Hautapu, in their first season in the Championship had a convincing win at home 79-12 over fellow newcomers Pirongia. Hatricks to Keelah Bodle and Hayley-Marie Church highlighted the 13 try route in a great afternoon at Memorial Park in Cambridge. United Matamata Sports made the trip south to Waitete picking up a hard fought 29-25 win over the home. The last scheduled match of the weekend was Hamilton Marist defaulting to Suburbs in what was their first game of the year, and Suburbs’ second win in their debut Championship season.

The Elliot Shield Colts Competition was into their second round with strong wins to Hamilton Old Boys, Hamilton Marist and Rugby United. While United Matamata Sports and University squeezed past their respective opposition. Hinuera & Pirongia were Warriors’ like playing out a 26 all draw at Wealleans Park.

Hamilton Old Boys playing Fraser Tech picked up their first win of the year 48-15, while Hamilton Marist made it two from two beating Hautapu 20-15 in Cambridge. The young men from Rugby United based in Thames Valley, travelled across to Leamington winning 31-21 to get back-to-back wins and to sit atop of the competition ladder.

University hosted Suburbs down at the University to kick off a full afternoon of rugby at home, and like their Premier side, winning by one point in a tight battle 27-26. Morrinsville Sports made the trip across to Bedford Park in Matamata and got their season on track with a hard fought 17-12 win in what was their first win of 2024.

After sitting on ice last weekend, the Under 85kg competition got underway with comfortable wins for 2023 finalists Morrinsville Sports and Hamilton Marist, while Melville and Fraser Tech could not be separated in a 17 all draw.

2023 and back-to-back champions Morrinsville Sports travelled to Leamington running in seven tries to win comfortably 41-0. A double to right winger Detroit Sluys-Tamanui was the highlight for Morrinsville Sports and sees his side sit a top of the ladder after one week with a superior point scoring record.

Hamilton Marist travelled down to take on Kio Kio United in Te Kuiti winning 34-7 outscoring the home side six tries to one. A double to Devin Carruthers in the midfield highlighted Marist’s strong attacking backline where four of the six tries were scored.

Article added: Monday 15 April 2024