Pakuranga United Rugby Club was on the losing end of a 23-8 scoreline away at Suburbs.
It was a disappointing day for the Access Solutions Pakuranga Premier side (and their large crowd of travelling spectators) who after a scrappy first half on a very saturated field (down 3-8) failed to gain field position in the second spell to go down to a determined Suburbs side.
Although drawing level at 8-all midway through the 2nd spell Pakuranga went on to commit way too many errors and gave away silly penalties in their own half which were expertly converted into points by Suburbs 1st Five Eighth Carl Perry who controlled the game throughout.
In the curtain-raiser, the Marie Raos Raw White Premier Development side came back from a slow start (down 0-12) to make it 4 from 4 this season with a determined effort winning 36-15 against a very experienced Suburbs side.
This week both teams are on Bell Park in the annual East v West battle against Waitemata.
The premier game’s aftermath was sullied by reports of fighting between spectators some minutes after the final whistle. Police say they were called to the fight at Shadbolt Park in New Lynn about 4.30 pm.
A police spokesperson said, “Police followed up the limited lines of enquiry available however there weren’t any positive IDs made as to who was involved. There’s nothing to suggest there were any serious injuries to any party.”
Local league
Fox Memorial winners Howick Hornets went down to Northcote 28-6 at Birkenhead War Memorial on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers remain undefeated through the opening month of the competition after powering past Howick in a soggy encounter. Centre Casey Smith scored a double for the Tigers, while back-rower Pierre Pili was among the standouts for Geoff Morton’s side.
In division 2, Pakuranga held on to beat Hibiscus Coast 18-16 after turning an 18-12 half-time lead into an eventual two-point victory. Second-rower Tony Siligi was among the standouts for the Jaguars in the win.
