Bombay bounce back in strong win
Reigning champions Bombay are the Counties Power Cup holders again after a convincing 32-23 win over Patumahoe at Bombay.
Bouncing back from a thrashing at the hands of Karaka a week earlier Bombay shot out to an early lead.
They were able to withstand any chance of a Patumahoe comeback in the second spell to take hold of the cup and put their season back on track.
Patumahoe held the cup for just seven days having won it from Pukekohe last week.
‘‘Compared to last week it was a much improved effort across the board,’’ Bombay coach Jeff Marr said.
‘‘We got the Zane Perkins Cup (contested between the two clubs) back again too so that is some pretty big relief to get back on the horse again and into winning ways.’’
Pukekohe also rebounded from a poor week two showing to beat Manurewa 23-12 at Colin Lawrie Fields.
‘‘It is always hard to beat Rewa,’’ Pukekohe coach Waka Setitaia said.
‘‘It was a pretty good battle out there. I think we just wanted to win more.’’
Ardmore Marist had little trouble in disposing of Papakura 62-5 in the Counties Power game of the week.
Saua Leaupepetele’s side ran in 10 tries to one in the process.
Ardmore Marist had the services of Super Rugby halfback Jonathan Taumateine for the game.
‘‘When you have a Chiefs halfback there – he was just a cut above,’’ Leaupepetele said.
Onewhero collected a second successive win by beating Waiuku 27-15 and moved into the top four as a result.
‘‘It was just a typical battle between Onewhero and Waiuku,’’ Onewhero coach Adam Cathcart said.
Karaka saw off a spirited Te Kauwhata 38-7 to record their second win of the season and cement themselves in the top four as well.
The result was actually confirmed before kick-off with Te Kauwhata having to forfeit the match due to not having enough front-row eligible players. The match went ahead anyway with golden oldie scrum rules in place.
While Ardmore Marist have the maximum 15 competition points after three weeks there are just two points separating Karaka, Bombay, Onewhero, Patumahoe and Pukekohe in positions two through six.