Waikato club rugby enters round 2
Taupiri Rugby Club has played through undefeated in round 1, of Division 1, in the Waikato Club Rugby competition.
The club’s top team finished off the first half of the 2018 season with a 95-0 win over Frankton at Swarbrick Park on Saturday.
It means Taupiri wins the round 1 Waikato Rugby Referees Association (WRRA) Trophy.
It also leads the top seven teams of Division 1, including Hinuera, Southern United, United Matamata Sports, Putaruru, Leamington and Suburbs, which will all play in the newly formed Championship competition, which kicks off June 2.
Those seven will be joined by Te Awamutu Sports, from the Premier division.
Premier club rugby had a bye at the weekend to wait for the conclusion of the first round of Division 1. Round 2 for the Premier clubs also begins on Saturday.
The other big winner from the final games of round 1, Division 1, included Hinuera, which defeated Huntly 96-10.
Huntly hosted Hinuera on Saturday and it was the visitors who shot out to a halftime lead of 35-10.
That was accomplished through some good team work and tries from Hinuera, scored by Kieran McHugh, Masiu Vanikolo, Jarrod McKillop, Tyrone Beban and Todd Allen.
All five conversions were slotted by Hinuera first-five Matt Ring.
Hinuera had the advantage in the second spell, its superior fitness showing, with Vanikolo especially shinning out.
Long-range tries were scored by Pete Smit, McHugh, Kieren Ross, Logan Wood, Luke Arnold, Paul Blyde, Bradley Leuthard, Logan Wood, Stephen Botha and Matt Ring with three. Ring also slotted 13 conversions to earn the Player of the Day title.
In the Gallagher Women’s Premiership, Hamilton Old Boys scored a 100-0 win over Taupiri on Saturday. Melville Rugby & Sports Club, University of Waikato Rugby Club and Hamilton Old Boys make up the top three teams in the seven-team competition.
-Additional reporting, Dick Larkin.