HOB score away-win in Otorohanga
Rugby clubs playing at home used the advantage to score their first wins, in the first week, of the second round of Waikato club rugby’s premier division.
Only Hamilton Old Boys bucked the trend, defeating Otorohanga at Island Reserve, leading 10-0 at half time to finish 21-17 victors on Saturday.
It was the first time in a few seasons that Hamilton Old Boys had managed a win in Otorohanga.
Hautapu’s Premier A and B sides were at home at Memorial Park in Cambridge to host their Fraser Tech opponents.
There were plenty of tries scored in the Premier B match earlier in the afternoon, with Te Ranga Kihi-Simon staring on the wing for Hautapu.
Mid-field back Geoff Beaumont also had a strong game for Hautapu, setting up the ball from broken play.
The Premier A game was a lower scoring affair, but that match also went to Hautapu, which carried on its good form from round one.
In the new Championship A competition, Hinuera and United Matamata Sports ran a close game until the final 20 minutes, when Hinuera raced away, at Bedford Park in Matamata.
Hinuera opened up a 14-point lead with tries to Kieran McHugh and Masiu Vanikolo, both converted by Matt Ring, at a point a minute.
Back roared UMS and with Hinuera’s Hadleigh May sinbinned, they poured on the pressure.
A try to Ross Trump reduced the margin to 14-5.
Prop Craig Blyde touched down for Hinuera’s third try and a penalty by Ring added to Hinuera’s lead, which was 22-5 at the break.
UMS came out firing, reducing the margin to 22-12 with a try to Dan Thatcher, converted by Scott Darroch.
A penalty try awarded for collapsing a maul set with the ball rolling and it was 29-12.
Then followed tries to Bradley Leuthard (2) and Ring (2) for a final score of 49-12.
Taupiri is also performing well in 2018 and hasn’t lost a game this season. On Saturday, the title contenders hosted Leamington and won, 37-13.
Te Awamutu recorded two good wins against Suburbs, at Albert Park on Saturday.
It started with Te Awamutu’s B side which picked up its first win, 15-10 over its opponents while the club’s A side kicked off the new Championship round with maximum points, winning 52-20 over Suburbs.
University of Waikato Rugby Club had all of its five teams playing at home for the first time this season for could only manage a draw and four losses.