Tukapa and Coastal teams unbeaten
Tukapa and Coastal are in a commanding position after week two of the CMK premier club rugby competition.
Both sides are unbeaten and have a three-point lead but will need to continue their momentum in the condensed season to earn a semifinal spot.
While it might be too early to think about the play-offs, teams that start strongly will be in a domineering spot.
Apart from one match, Saturday’s games proved to be tight and entertaining, all played in front of healthy crowds.
In the match of the round, Coastal survived a second half surge by Southern to win 29-24 in Ha¯ wera.
Coastal stormed out to a healthy 24-5 lead at the break but the home side scored 12 points in the last 20 minutes to stay in the fight.
Coastal, who were last year’s finalists, dominated territory and possession throughout the first half. Their tries came from either lineout drives or patience around the goal line that built pressure.
Southern scored just before halftime off a scrum to register on the scoreboard.
In the second half, Southern wing Jackson Ormond started the moment with a runaway try on his wing.
Ormond set up the third try for his side as lock Brad Saxton dotted down under the posts after receiving a pass from loose forward Trent Pickering.
On the other wing, Jade Taylor scored in the corner but Coastal held on to claim the victory.
Tukapa beat Spotswood United comfortably 40-17 at Yarrow Stadium.
In the repeat of last year’s semifinal on the same ground, Tukapa scored six tries to two in the romp.
Tukapa’s backline looked sharp as they showed immense skill and initiative to fool Spotswood United’s defence.
Hurricanes hooker Ricky Riccitelli started for Tukapa and showed his Super Rugby experience.
Clifton has bounced back from their loss last weekend to pip New
Plymouth Old Boys 25-22 at Tikorangi.
The game was highlighted by Clifton wing Indiha Sao Tui-Huta, who scored 20 points for his side.
The Samoan Under 20 representative scored two tries and kicked well off the tee.
Not taking anything away from the home side, Clifton scored most of their tries off Old Boys’ mistakes. That cost them in the end as Old Boys made critical errors at key times.
In the final game of the round, Inglewood beat neighbours Stratford/ Eltham 28-21 at TET Stadium.
In damp conditions, Inglewood scored four tries to two.