Win sets up Ohaupo¯ Rugby and Sports Club for a big year
Division 1 Waikato Club Rugby kicked off on April 9 with O¯ haupo¯ Rugby and Sports Club set for a big year after beating Taupiri 22-21 in round one.
O¯ haupo¯ will once again field an A and a B side, with the B team (1pm kickoff) following the A team’s (2.45pm kickoff) match ¯schedule.
Founded in 1888, Ohaupo¯ has moved from strength to strength in recent seasons, finishing as the second-best Division 1 side in 2021.
O¯ haupo¯ A co-captains Dylan Samson and Hayden Thomas return to lead the side while coaches, former Taranaki and Chiefs prop Mitch Graham and ex-Whanganui rep Jordan Farrington, return for their third year in charge.
“O¯ haupo¯ has been building quite nicely and a lot of players have returned,” says Samson.
“We lost a great club man and player in Sam Foster but we’ve also gained a lot of fresh faces which is awesome to see. They’re definitely putting in the hard yards making it difficult for the coaches to pick a match day 22 — it’s good for the team to have depth.
“We’ve had a couple of preseason games which gave us an opportunity to build on some combinations and structure and I’m really looking forward to the season ahead. We’ve got some guys with real talent that’ll lead us in the right direction.
“It’s awesome to have coaches like Mitchy and Jords back for a third season. They really bring that energy, experience and fun into the team and with the whole club family supporting us — it’s great.”
The O¯ haupo¯ B side have played two matches to date, going down to Puta¯ruru B in preseason and Taupiri B in round one. The team will look to build on connection as promising numbers have shown up to trainings and match days. Wayne Davies and Ray George have put in the work to organise the B team and are set to be joined by¯ a third coach.
As a club, Ohaupo¯ strives to be the centre of the community, making everyone feel welcome — whether its friends or family, locals or new to the area residents. The O¯ haupo¯ Hub facilities are a great asset to help with this.
Everyone is invited to be part of the club as a player or spectator.
There is a strong focus on retention within the playing sides, and the two squads socialise and train together as one team unit. Coach Farrington says it’s not all about what’s on the field but what’s off the field too, having a good time together as a community and supporting each other.
2022 O¯ HAUPO¯ RUGBY EXTENDED SQUAD:
Alfie Broughton, Met Camaibatiki,
Baylee Davies, Josh Donaghy, Lance Elrick, Reece Elsmore, Chris Ferguson, Liam Fox, Alex Fullerton, Dean Fullerton, Dean Glennie, Stefan Hannon-Mcginn, Nicolas Hart, Gerard Hasnip, Taylor Hayes, Roy Huggard, Chris Johnson, Caleb Kennedy, Charlie Matthews, Kerry Matthews, Mark Nicolaas, Liam Palaone, Ben Parrott, Brandon Pollock, Ethan Refoy, Jacob Reymer, Dylan Samson (cc), Hayden Thomas (cc), Josh Thomas, Scott Thomas, Bevin Tobin, Jade Walker, Bronson Wilson-Beech, Jesse Wood, Liam Wylde
O¯ HAUPO ¯ FIRST ROUND FIXTURES:
April 9 won 22-21 v Taupiri Ohaupo¯ ¯ B lost 5-34 v Taupiri B NO GAMES EASTER WEEKEND April 23 v Te Rapa (HOME) April 30 v Suburbs (AWAY) May 7 v Southern United (AWAY) May 14 v Hinuera (HOME)
May 21 v Pirongia (AWAY)
May 28 v Leamington (HOME) NO GAMES QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND
June 11 v Frankton (AWAY) June 18 v Puta¯ruru (AWAY)