League
A 42-point haul in the opening 40 minutes set Howick Hornets up for a big win over Bay Roskill 48-8, who showed admirable character to win the second half despite the lopsided scoreline. Wings Jesse Keven and Reid Cooke both scored hat tricks for the Hornets in the win.
The Pakuranga Jaguars continued the eastern dominance with a convincing 36-10 over the Waitemata Seagulls out west in Ranui.
Rugby union
Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) held on 31-30 in a nail-biter over Papatoetoe at Sutton Crescent.
A strong head wind battered the players but didn’t impair great ball in hand skills exhibited by both teams. Pakuranga scored two great tries after employing a width to width attack where the backs and forwards combined well to get over the chalk.
However Papatoetoe were in the same mood and they hit back with two great tries of their own, with one of coming from a special counter attack.
From there the lead was exchanged several times. PURC director of rugby Pita Alatini was thinking his charges had given the match away when they gave away a penalty with four minutes remaining on the clock.
However the PURC premiers re-gathered the kick-off and kept things tight until they reached the 22 and forced a penalty which George Taina knocked over to see them home.
“A strong performance by Jerry Samania earned him player of the day. Strong mentions have to be made to Dwayne Polaitavao, Max East, Tone Ng Shiu and George Taina for their strong showings,” said Alatini.
