Patumahoe have taken sole possession of top spot on the McNamara Cup table after a 41-14 win over defending champions Manurewa at Patumahoe Domain on Saturday.
Little separated the two sides for over an hour, but Brad Healy’s side broke the game open late to make it three wins from three while consigning Manurewa to a third straight loss to start their title defence.
“Boys played well against a big, strong Rewa team,” said Healy.
“Was all tied up at halftime but the boys stuck to the game plan and executed it in the second half.
“It doesn’t get any easier with another big game up next against Karaka.”
Manurewa have played better than the scorelines have suggested and were able to overcome a slow start to their 2023 campaign before hitting top gear when it counted so it will be far from panic stations for Jeremy Clark and co.
Karaka came from behind to seal a 32-28 win over Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields to improve to 2-0 on the season.
In a terrific game, the two sides traded scores all afternoon before Karaka were able to string a pair of tries together to open up a double digits lead late in the game before Pukekohe grabbed one back.
“Boys put in a big shift to overcome the halftime deficit,” said Karaka coach Craig Hill.
“The try directly after halftime changed the momentum of the game. Puke certainly had it over us in the 20 minutes before halftime.
“The game was everything we expected – a tough match.”
Bombay backed up their draw last week against Papakura with a convincing 77-6 victory over Ardmore Marist at Bombay Domain.
Steelers representative Adam Brash celebrated his 50th game in style, scoring a pair of tries and kicking goals in a superb performance.
“It was physical – we just had to stay in our shape and be patient and we thought it would come and it did so thankful for that,” said Brash.
“We just have to keep building and keep stringing them together.”
Papakura had the bye.
Patumahoe thumped Manurewa 81-12 in Bob Chandler Cup Premier Development play at Patumahoe while Karaka triumphed over Pukekohe 38-25 in Pukekohe.
Weymouth moved to the top of the Sid Marshall Shield standings on the back of a 38-5 win over Te Kauwhata at Te Kauwhata Domain.
Puni picked up their first win of the season as they toppled previously undefeated Maramarua 19-15 at Puni while Waiuku cleaned up Tuakau 38-3.
Onewhero got bragging rights over neighbours Te Kohanga 45-5 while defending champions Drury picked up their first win of the season in beating Manurewa 17-5 at Mountfort Park.
Two-time defending champs Karaka edged Pukekohe 21-18 in a replay of last season’s Massey Cup U21 final at Colin Lawrie Fields.
Patumahoe beat Manurewa 12-5 in the other match while Ardmore Marist had the bye.
Ardmore Marist showed the future is bright with a 19-7 win over Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields in Bright Cup U19 action.
Waiuku snuck by TKO (Tuakau, Te Kohanga and Onewhero combination side) 33-26 while Manurewa beat neighbours Weymouth 40-28 at Mountfort Park.
Beachlands-Maraetai picked up their first win of the U85kg season when they hammered Drury 46-0 at Drury.
Karaka picked up a 13-10 road win over Onewhero while Waiuku eased to a 28-8 win over Pukekohe at Colin Lawrie Fields.
Manurewa were blanked 28-0 by Papatoetoe in Women’s Premier action at Papatoetoe Recreation Ground.
Local teams did well in the Women’s Development grade however. Karaka beat Waitakere 78-7 at Karaka Sports Complex, Patumahoe defeated Eden 44-10 while Papakura scored a 29-10 win over Pukekohe away from home.
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