The final round robin match of the North Harbour Premiership competition saw some key match-ups to determine the finals seeding’s this week, with the mighty Takapuna side, who had dropped only one game in the year, continue to dominate the competition with a commanding performance in their 27-19 win over second place Massey.
The result was well earnt and vindication for a team that put a lot of emphasis on the basics this season. The result drops Massey a place in the standings into a must win match in the 1st round of the knock-out finals format, after North Shore – previously in 3rd place – made light of their challenge against Marist and nailed both the win (50-0) and the bonus point they knew they had to earn to be sure of securing the second placed spot.
So next week as first and second place front runners bot Takapuna and North Shore have earnt the week off, and an automatic berth in the semi-finals whilst those place 3rd to 6th will play knock-out footy to determine the two other semi finalists
The 4th and 5th placed match next week will be a replay of todays last round robin fixture as East Coast Bays (currently 4th) took on Northcote. It was a terrific game played in perfect rugby conditions with East Coast Bays streaking away to a big lead at halftime and whilst Northcote made some headway in the 2nd half, East Coat Bays also kept the scoreboard ticking over to secure the win and the right to host the fixture next weekend.
After a turbulent week out West with Kumeu announcing it will be pulling out of the Western partnership in order to field their own premier and reserve side next season a demoralised western side went into this final round fixture looking to salvage some pride and retain the Country Cup – an annual trophy played for between these sides. Western Pioneers started well and looked the goods creating many opportunities and converting 3 to be up 19-7 at half time. It took a while after the break before Silverdale got the message as they slowly clawed their way back into it. With 10 minutes left only 1 point separated these sides until Silverdale nailed a couple of tries – one long range to edge Western 34-25.
Whilst the final score line flatters, Glenfield did not have their fixture over Mahurangi there own way with the boys from the North defending strongly for 40 minutes and holding Glenfield to a 12-0 score line, but the floodgates opened into the 3rd quarter of the match with Glenfield seemingly scoring at will to run away 52-7 victors
We now head into the knockout phase of the competition with the format as follows. Next week 1st and 2nd place get both a week off and automatic entry into the semi finals. (Takapuna and North Shore.)
3rd place finisher Massey have the home game against 6th placed Glenfield, with the winner of that game playing North Shore in the semis. Next week will also see East Coast Bays (4th) will play Northcote (5th) to determine the other semi-final spot in a fortnight.
In the Bowl finals Silverdale (7th) will play Marist (10th) and Western 8th) will take on Mahurangi (9th)
North Harbour Prem 1 results 2 July:
Takapuna 27 Massey 19
East Coast Bays 39 Northcote 28
North Shore 50 Marist 0
Glenfield 52 Mahurangi 7
Silverdale 34 Western Pioneers 25
Point Scorers
Takapuna 27 (Tries: S Hall, J Williamson; J Elrick 1 con, 5 Pen ) Massey 19 (Tries: N.Tuigamala; N.Ratumaitavuki 1 Con, 4 Pen). HT 15-6
Silverdale 34 (Tries: J Turner x3, F Friconnet x1, G Rollinson x1; C Kiwara x3 Con, 1 Pen) Western Pioneers 25 (Tries: N Maybury x2, J Paumau; J Paumau 2 Con, 2 Pen) HT 7-19
East Coast Bays 39 (Tries: L Gjaltema, T Fatai, M Lee, J Donally, M Carsey; M Cockrane 3 Con, 1 DG, 2 Pen) Northcote 28 (Tries: Z Clarke, C McCarthy, C Law ; B Searle 1 Con, C Law 1 Con, 3 Pen) HT: 28-12
North Shore 50 (Tries: M Davies, J Blucher, L Hamilton, F Conway x 2, D Hilton-Jones, D Lee; J McGregor x6 Con, 1 Pen) Marist 0 HT 24-0
Glenfield 52 (Tries: S Turner 2, P Samoa, T Samoa, M Moata-ane, M Little, K Williams-Paul, W Inga ; D Halaufia 6 Con) Mahurangi 7 (Tries: C Venter:; C Dunn Con) HT 12-0
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