The Otahuhu Leopards made the perfect start to the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership proper with a 28-26 win over Howick Hornets at Paparoa Park.
Otahuhu leapfrogged Howick to assume fourth position on the ladder with a two-point victory. Howick threatened a late comeback but fell just short, having been behind 22-10 at one stage earlier in the match.
It wasn’t such an impressive start to the championship round for fellow South Auckland club Mangere East. The Hawks were thumped 64-16 by the Bay Roskill Vikings at Blockhouse Bay Reserve.
The local sides didn’t have a great weekend in the Fox Memorial Championship grade.
Only the Manukau Magpies tasted victory and that came against fellow South Auckland side Papakura Sea Eagles.
Manukau halves Samuel Nati and Raven Togiafofoa scored five tries between them as the Magpies got past the Sea Eagles at Prince Edward Park.
Manukau led 14-4 at the break before running away with the contest, with Nati scoring three times and his playmaking partner twice.
It is a worrying sign for Papakura, who finished bottom of the Premiership qualifiers and have now dropped their opening game of the Championship.
The bottom four sides in the Championship will not be involved in next year’s Premiership qualifiers.
A masterclass from playmaker Nathan Ashe saw the Hibiscus Coast Raiders edge past Otara Scorpions 25-18, with the former St Helens player scoring three tries and kicking a field goal.
The victory came a week after the Raiders had lost to Otara in the final round of the Qualifiers.
A dominant second half saw the Richmond Bulldogs overcome the Pakuranga Jaguars, in a match where the Bulldogs had led just 14-10 at the break.
In Women’s Premiership action the Manurewa Marlins survived a scare to record a 28-26 win in the top-of-the-table battle against Pt Chevalier.
Lexi Kiriwi got over for three tries as Manurewa edged past their nearest ladder rivals to remain unbeaten in 2021.
The Marlins led at the break but had to survive a comeback from the Pirates in the second spell. Middle forward Toru Arakua was outstanding in the win.
Richmond proved too strong for Pakuranga, taking a 28-4 win.
In the Championship grade Manurewa picked up a superb 26-24 win over top-of-the-table Taniwharau.
Sixteen unanswered points in the second half saw Manurewa record a gutsy come-from-behind victory and hand Taniwharau their first loss of the year.
Manurewa were down 24-10 at the break but powered back into the contest and scored the winning try with two minutes to go through Lesalle Lefale. Grace Tautuhi scored a double in the win.
Otara beat Tuakau 36-10 in a battle between two South Auckland clubs.
The Scorpions jumped to eight competition points with victory over Otara, putting them even with both Manukau and Marist in the race for a top-four spot.
Howick enjoyed a big 68-12 win over Glenora.
Kelly Alexander ran in five tries on her way to Player of the Match honours as Howick powered past Glenora for their seventh win of the season. The win ensures Howick remain second on the competition ladder.
Manukau went down to Marist 18-4 in their clash. Marist led 4-0 at the break before finding their attacking mojo in the second stanza.
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