Rugby sevens
Senita Lauaki scored under the posts for Hautapu right on full time. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Leamington Rugby Sports Club has won the Waikato Rugby club sevens division 1 title for the fifth straight year.
The last club rugby competition for the calendar year was played at Memorial Park on Saturday, drawing more than 20 sides from around the Waikato region, including a Waipā contingent which as well as Leamington included Hautapu, Te Awamutu and Kihikihi.
Coming from slightly further afield was Otorohanga.
There were premiership and division 1 categories for both men’s and women’s teams, with championship finals played for third and fourth.
Todd Silva looks to offload during Hautapu’s game against Matamata. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Hamilton Old Boys Rugby Club, Melville Rugby and Leamington Rugby Sports Club ultimately ran out as Premiership trophy winners.
Hautapu lost 29-17 to Hamilton Old Boys Huskies in the men’s premiership final, while Melville ran away 19-12 winners against Hamilton Old Boys Huskies in the women’s premiership final.
Going unbeaten throughout their three pool matches, Leamington beat Suburbs in the semifinals, before running out 42-0 winners against Te Rapa in the division 1 final.
Hautapu’s Rui Farrant crashes over for a try against Hamilton Old Boys in Saturday’s men’s premiership final. Photo: Jeremy Smith
Notably, it was Leamington’s fifth straight season winning the division one title and they were the only unbeaten side on the day.
Meanwhile, Varsity were 15-12 winners over Morrinsville in the women’s championship final, and Otorohanga went down 31-12 to Varsity in the men’s championship final.
In the women’s competition, Melville, Hamilton Old Boys Huskies and Otorohanga all went through pool play unbeaten.
Earlier in the day, Kihikihi suffered an upset loss in the women’s championship semi-final, going down to Morrinsville.
Queyst Michael goes in for a try. Photo: Jeremy Smith
