Karaka and Pukekohe have won for the second week running in the McNamara Cup while Patumahoe has reversed the result from last year’s championship final.
Karaka, the 2021 McNamara Cup champions, raced out of the blocks against Papakura at Massey Park and were never threatened as they completed a 59-22 victory.
“Really happy with the way we started the game, that was a focus for us,” Karaka coach Craig Hill told Counties Sports Hub.
“The first 20 minutes was played with pace and accuracy.
“It got a bit untidy from there. Papakura, to their credit, took the chances they had and showed plenty of endeavour.
“We had a purple patch of 15 minutes in the second half that pushed the score out.”
Pukekohe enjoyed a comfortable 54-8 win over Ardmore Marist at Patumahoe Domain to go to the top of the standings.
The game was played at the neutral venue after Ardmore Marist’s home at Bruce Pulman Park and Pukekohe’s home ground of Colin Lawrie Fields were unavailable due to other events.
Pukekohe looked right at home however as they took an early lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
Winger Jerry Drlu bagged four tries in the win.
“It was a pretty physical battle,” Pukekohe coach Michael Porter said. “I thought our forwards laid a good platform upfront for our backs.
“Jerry was outstanding on the wing in his first game for the club, scoring four tries.
“Keran van Staden was good upfront, going 80 minutes and lead the way with our forwards.”
Patumahoe claimed a 36-15 win over defending McNamara Cup champions Manurewa at Mountfort Park but the scoreline probably didn’t reflect how close the game was.
In their first competition game of the season, Patumahoe conceded an early try before they scored a pair of tries in quick succession to take the lead in the Counties Energy Game of the Week.
Manurewa stayed with them for an hour or more before the visitors were able to ease away late in the game and ensure they held on to the Counties Energy Cup.
“Pretty happy. A lot to work on but a great base for us to start from,” said Patumahoe coach Brad Healy.
“Work ons are line outs.
“I am stoked – we had 23 guys that all added. Our bench was huge. Our young fellas – we debuted four guys today – that is awesome. That is what I kind of had a vision for with our youth coming through.
“Reegan Wheeler had a great pre-season, came up from captaining the U21s last year, he was immense today.
“He is not the biggest lad, but he gets around the field and his engine is outstanding.”
Pukekohe meet arch-rivals Bombay next weekend while Karaka hosts Ardmore Marist and Papakura travels to Patumahoe.
Ardmore Marist and Pukekohe drew their Bob Chandler Cup Premier Reserve clash 20-20 at Patumahoe Domain.
After having to default last week, the draw will be a huge boost for Ardmore Marist.
Patumahoe completed a 36-26 win over Manurewa at Mountfort Park while Karaka thrashed Papakura 80-7 at Massey Park.
There were no other grades in action over the Easter Weekend.
McNamara Cup (Premiership):
Manurewa 15-36 Patumahoe
Papakura 22-59 Karaka
Ardmore Marist 8-54 Pukekohe
Bob Chandler Cup (Premier Reserves):
Manurewa 26-36 Patumahoe
Papakura 7-80 Karaka
Ardmore Marist 20-20 Pukekohe
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