Waikato win Bombay clash
Picksters:
After round six of the 2022 Bunnings Warehouse NPC, Waikato are still the only team not to lose a match.
Picksters HTSL Diesel Mechanical have jumped to the top of the Picksters table after playing their joker, doubling their points. They’re now two points clear of second placed Nic & Me.
McDonald’s Te Awamutu and Power Chill sit in third equal - a close race that could still be anyone’s game.
PGG Wrightson and NZME round off the Picksters.
There is still time to grab your spot in the competition, if you and/or your business are interested in advertising and taking part weekly, email marissa.morris@nzme.co.nz. Let’s go Waikato! Picksters: You have one joker to play anytime during the competition and if we don’t get your picks on time, we’ll select the home teams on your behalf! Report:
Waikato have won back the Stan Thomas memorial trophy after putting Auckland to the sword winning 30-15 at FMG Stadium in round six of the 2022 Bunnings NPC competition.
It took 18 minutes for the points to be scored and it was Damian McKenzie’s boot that scored the first point with a successful penalty.
But Auckland replied with their own penalty three minutes later to draw the game level at 3-3.
Winger Daniel Sinkinson scored the first try of the evening to put Waikato back in front.
McKenzie then added the extras and Waikato led 10-3 after 26 minutes.
However ex-Waikato player Jordan Trainor scored for Auckland and Harry Plummer added the extras to draw the game level again at 10-10 after 28 minutes.
But Waikato took the lead back with three minutes remaining in the first half when fullback Tepaea Cook-Savage found his way over the line to score Waikato’s second try.
McKenzie again was successful with the conversion as
the home team went into the break with a 17-10 lead.
In the second half McKenzie was successful with a penalty kick at goal to extend their lead to 10 points.
However a charge down and recovery by Plummer to score brought Auckland within five points of Waikato midway through the second half.
But Waikato struck back right away after recovering the restart and flanker Patrick McCurran crossed for his first try in Waikato colours.
McKenzie again added the extras and Waikato had a 12-point lead with 19 minutes left on the clock.
McKenzie was successful with another penalty at the 69 minute mark to make Waikato’s score double Auckland’s.
Auckland couldn’t score anymore points and Waikato remained undefeated with a 30-15 victory to stay at the top of the Bunnings NPC odds pool.
Waikato 30 (Daniel Sinkinson, Tepaea CookSavage, Patrick McCurran tries; Damian McKenzie 3 conversion, 3 penalties)
Auckland 15 (Jordan Trainor, Harry Plummer tries; Harry Plummer 1 conversion, 1 penalty)
HT: 17-10