WHAT’S HAPPENING IN COMMUNITY RUGBY
Waihou and Waihi Athletic remain undefeated after round three of the2024 Silcock Shield Senior A competition Waihi Athletic v Whangamata.
An opening try from the first kick off saw Waihi lead this match from the start to finish. Waihi racked up another six tries in the process but also conceded three to a Whangamata side that was well beaten. In the first minute Cam Gerlach’s withering pace outflanked Whangamata and many inside passes saw halfback Asher Delany score beside the sticks. Another couple of quick scores to Waihi saw them race out to 19 nil. From a series of rucks on the line Kiharoa Gilbert crashed over to get Whangamata off their duck. Waihi with two quick tries to industrious hooker Josh Tye saw a commanding 31-7 lead at the break. Two tries to each side in the second half with a dominant Waihi side taking a strong victory. Players to catch the eye from Waihi were prop Mahe and his front row partner Josh Tye and tough tackling loose forward Brett Ranga. The game was controlled by Waihi’s Quinn Collard at first five. Whangamata’s bookends Pulley and Cordice, lock Chris Tuilotolava and Tupou Tonga led many of the Whangamata charges. Raoren at halfback was the pick of the backs along with Joe Perawiti at 12. Waihi Athletic 45 (A Delany, I Seiuli, B Ranga, J Tye 2, J Mahe, D Bellamy, tries; Q Collard 5 conversions) beat Whangamata 21 ( K Gilbert, T Bond, B Laurie tries, T Raoren 3 conversions). HT 31-7. Paeroa v Te Aroha Cobras at Centennial Park, Paeroa. Referee: D Tui-taylor A hard game played by two big forward packs with Cobras shading the Paeroa eight at the set pieces, scrums and lineouts. The Paeroa backs Emery, Beazley and Malielegaoi proved incisive throughout. Te Aroha lost key midfielder Sione Etoni which saw 2023 NZ Divisional halfback Leroy Neels move to first five eight. Stand outs for the losing Cobras side were Cam Dromgool, Neels, Sergio Schuler and try scoring hooker Shontayne Dare. Paeroa 43 (J Penu 2, H Beazley, T Malielegaoi, S Toloa, K May-maatafeo, L Aufai tries; N Emery 4 conversions), beat Te Aroha Cobras 15 (F Paseka, S Dare, L Neels tries). HT 17-5. Thames v Hauraki North at Rhodes Park. Referee S Watts. Norths took the wind advantage in the first spell but would have been disappointed with trailing 6-12 at half time. The Norths Blue Bulls had plenty of possession but could not convert that advantage into points. The Thames win was orchestrated by halfback Seth Roe, who helped himself to two tries. Solid defence and a dominant scrum gave Thames the needed advantage throughout. North never gave up and for a long period in the second spell hammered on the Thames line for no reward. Matty Fisher at halfback and Riki Watene were tireless trying to break the Thames line along with flanker Leyton Penu. Thames 22 ( S Roe 2, D Hughes, S Tutapu tries; Hughes conversion) beat North 6 (E Fiavaai 2 penalties). HT 12-6. Mercury Bay v Waihou Lyon Park, Whitianga. Referee R Rogers. Mercury Bay gave unbeaten Waihou a few scares before succumbing to their powerful forward pack in an exciting match at Lyon Park. The more mobile Bay forward eight was sucked into an arm wrestle with the Waihou pack. Trailing by just five at the half, the home teams inability to create sustained pressure saw them fade away in the second half. The Waihou pack veterans often pinched possession close to the line and forced many Bay errors. The stand outs for the home side were Anzac Waterhouse at prop, second five Dane Mathew, and replacement loose forward 18
year old Tyrese Melde. Waihou’s pack effort was led by lock Tim Erceg and the returning Sam Van Der Valk at hooker. Adam Radcliffe continued his fine season from first five and powerful winger Eliki Sicinlawa’s direct running earned him two tries. Waihou 29 (Sicinlawa 2, H Mcclennan, Van Der Valk tries, Radcliffe 3 conversions, penalty) beat Mercury Bay 17 (C Mcleod, L Lipa tries; C Curren 2 conversions, penalty). HT 22-17.
Results Thames Valley Rugby HG Leach & Co Ltd Saturday 13 April 2024. Senior A Waihi Athletic 45 v Whangamata 21, Thames 22 v Hauraki North 6, Mercury Bay 17 v Waihou 29, Paeroa 43 v Te Aroha Cobras 15. Senior B Coromandel 53 v Hauraki North 0, Thames 21 v Whangamata 27, Waihi Athletic 35 v Te Aroha Cobras 24, Mercury Bay 12 v Ngatea 8, Waihou bye. Draw this Saturday 20 April 2024 home team named first Thames v Paeroa kick off 2 pm, Whangamata v Te Aroha Cobras kick off 2 pm, Hauraki North v Mercury Bay 2 pm kick off, Waihi Athletic v Waihou 2.35 pm kick off. Senior B home team named first 12.25 pm kick off. Coromandel v Waihou, Waihi Athletic v Whangamata ( 11.25 am kick off) , Mercury Bay v Hauraki North, Ngatea v Te Aroha Cobras, Thames Bye.
Photo Whangamata Red n White charge with the ball against Waihi Athletic.
Number 13 Waihi Kahu Craig-ranga surrounded by Whangamata Red n Whites.
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WAIHI FOOTBALL
At Waihi College the Waihi Mens Waikato Division2 football side played Cambridge in their second game of the season. The Waihi Green and Golds had closed the game out at halftime with a 3-0 lead with the final score 4-1. Elusive mid fielder Paul caused the Cambridge defence endless problems with his close ball control and attacking ideas. Many times Paul played the ball deep into the penalty area behind the Cambridge defence. Fellow attackers Jasper and Bryn latched onto these passes and kept the Cambridge goalkeeper busy. While the Waihi defence coped well with sporadic Cambridge raids with keeper Budgie directing
operations with his keen football brain. This Waihi side have won both their games this season. The Waihi Men’s Division 4 side had their game postponed. A raft of injuries in the Waihi women’s squad meant they had to default their game. This weekend Saturday 20 April 2024 the Waihi Men’s Div 2 side travel to Ngaruawahia while the Men’s Div 4 side play Northern United Knights at Waihi College 2.45 pm kick off. Then Sunday 21 April 2024 the Waihi Women’s side play Waikato Unicol in Hamilton. —