Both Waipā teams fell short in the opening round of premier club rugby on Saturday, and both return to Hamilton this weekend looking to get off the mark.
On a day when four Hamilton clubs scored three wins and a draw against their country cousins, Hautapu lost at Marist 25-20 and Te Awamutu Sports was beaten 27-22 at Old Boys.
Debutant Dillon Martin lines up a kick in the 25-20 loss to Marist. Photo: Matt Gould
First five-eighth Dillon Martin was on debut for the Cambridge side after transferring after several seasons at Te Awamutu.
The winning Old Boys team contained former Te Awamutu players Niah Church-Jones, Josh Coffin, Dean Ralph and Sean Ralph.
Hautapu B collected a close 29-26 win against Hautapu B, while Te Awamutu’s development side lost 71-7 at the hands of Old Boys B.
Leamington was Waipā’s only successful team in Division 1, winning 24-14 at home to Putāruru.
Pirongia lost 26-20 at Suburbs and Ōhaupō fell 21-11 to Tokoroa’s Southern United.
Of the Division 1B teams, Pirongia was the only success story. They won 14-7 against Suburbs at Flagstaff Park.
Ōhaupō B lost 35-12 to their travelling Tokoroa counterparts and Leamington B were defeated 53-5 by another South Waikato team, Putāruru B.
Women’s rugby is also back for the year. Hautapu fell 41-20 to the ever-impressive Hamilton Old Boys Huskiez, while Kihikihi had 78 points put on them by University.
This Saturday will see a Waipā women’s premiership battle at Cambridge Memorial Park – Hautapu v Kihikihi – at 1pm.
Women’s championship division team Pirongia, playing in a triple-header with their men’s sides, fell 34-5 to Suburbs.
Leamington, Hautapu, Te Awamutu and Pirongia are all involved in the young guns under 21 competition this year.
Hautapu under-21 were 58-15 winners against their big town Waipā neighbours Te Awamutu.
Pirongia lost at home, beaten 28-17 by University, as did Leamington, losing 29-5 in their clash with Morrinsville.
From just south of Kihikihi, the Maihihi-based Kio Kio Cattle Dogs came away with a 10-8 home victory against Bombay in the combined Waikato-Counties Manukau Under-85kg rugby competition.
Forward Max Smithies and fullback Joshua Jolly crossed the chalk for the hosts.
They will face the dominant Morrinsville Sports under-85kg at Campbell Park this weekend before a trip north to Drury.
Tension boiled over at one point, something any match between Hautapu and Marist witnesses. Photo: Matt Gould.
Refs’ call
Cambridge Rugby Referees are inviting anyone interested in becoming a referee to their regular 7.30pm education meetings on Mondays in the Tom Voyle Lounge, under the grandstand at Cambridge Memorial Park.
“These aren’t try-outs or interviews — they’re relaxed, friendly sessions where our current refs meet to upskill and share knowledge,” president Gareth Cogan said.
The shortage of referees was evident when club rugby kicked off last weekend. Some assistant referees were required to officiate in more than one game. Referees were also asked to officiate in multiple games in a row during a fast fifteen competition at the weekend.
“For our up-and-coming referees, being part of these shorter formats -and more importantly, getting appointed as assistant referees – can really help build their understanding of the game,” Cogan said.
“ And let’s be honest, they’ve got the best seat in the house…”
Hautapu put pressure on the Marist line during the 25-20 loss to Marist. Photo: Matt Gould
