Old Boys win, Hautapu collects trophy
Hautapu hold on to their position at the top of the Waikato premier club rugby competition, despite losing their latest match to Hamilton Old Boys.
The top-of-the table clash was played at Fred Jones Park on Saturday with the hosts coming out victors, 27-13.
Hamilton Old Boys won the game but failed to score a bonus point try, to move them to the top round one standings.
It meant Hautpau held on to the round one lead by just one point to win the Ron Crawford Memorial trophy.
In other games on Saturday, Melville defeated Otorohanga, 30-27 at Island Reserve with a penalty right on fulltime.
Each team scored three tries a piece with the outcome of the game down to those on kicking duties.
Otorohanga’s fullback and captain, Te Amo Wilbore slotted three conversions and two penalties to add 12 points to his team’s tally.
It wasn’t enough though as Melville’s fullback, Sam Toa, booted over three conversions and three penalties to add 15 points.
Over on Campbell Park, Morrinsville Rugby and Sports was at home leading Hamilton Marist when the halftime whistle blew.
But the hosts were run down in the second by the visitors from the city, losing 22-17 to Marist.
Morrinsville scored two tries through fullback Callum Wood and winger Jayson Chambers, with Wood adding a conversion kick and first-five Chris Steffert also kicking a conversion goal and a penalty.
Marist’s points came through three tries, from prop Josh Kaho, centre BJ Lima and replacement, Pedro Scardapane. Firstfive Dylan Bower added the extras, two conversions and a penalty kick.
University opened the scoring against opponents Fraser Tech, at Waikato University, but the momentum flowed the other way for the rest of the game.
Tech ran in seven tries in total to University’s two, to win 41-10.
Te Awamutu Sports had the bye.
In the Gallagher Women’s Premiership, Otorohanga won its first game of the season, defeating Putaruru, 31-10 at Island Reserve.
Otorohanga dotted down five times and kicked three conversion to win the match.
It was the final week on round one club rugby with calculations now being made to decide promotion and relegation for round two.
Te Awamutu Sports had the bye, so the club couldn’t add to its overall points in the Premiership standings.
The club will play in the Championship Division when the second round kicks off.
All other teams will remain in the Premiership in round two, for a chance to win the Breweries Shield
Te Awamutu will be joined by the top sevens teams from the Division 1A competition, including Taupiri, Southern United, Suburbs, Hinuera, Putaruru, United Matamata Sports and Leamington.
The two teams that reach the final will be promoted to the Premier competition in 2019. The final will be playing for the Lion Cup.
The remaining five teams, Pirongia, Te Rapa, Ohaupo, Frankton and Huntly College Old Boys will continue to play in the Division 1 competition for the Mooloo Shield.
The Waikato Rugby Union’s chairman’s meeting was held on Monday and the draw for round two was expected to be released on May 22.