Te Awamutu Sports and Hautapu claimed wins on Matariki weekend, while the Cambridge-based side has a new All Black cap in their ranks.
Hautapu captain Quintony Ngatai looks to pass the ball. Photo: Matt Gould.
Chiefs prop Ollie Norris has joined fellow Hautapu club man Luke Jacobson in the first All Blacks squad of 2025.
Te Awamutu also have a new international player. Former Te Awamutu Sports captain Latrell Smiler-Ah Kiong has been selected for Manu Samoa out of Sydney.
Sekope Moli charges the ball through the Fraser Tech defence in 2019, supported by Ollie Norris and James Thompson and watched on by Hamilton Burr and Jake Stratton. Photo – Lauran Robinson.
At club level last weekend, Hautapu beat Fraser Tech 36-29 in Hamilton and Te Awamutu took down Hamilton Old Boys 27-24 at Albert Park.
Elijah Corbett was a Hautapu hat-trick hero, Rangiwai Lunjevich scored two tries and Quentin Hill one.
The Cambridge side outclassed Tech six tries to five. First five-eighth Dillon Martin also added three conversions.
In the Te Awamutu victory, backs Tairoa Crean, Awa Morris and Connor Moore grabbed tries. Leo Scott added 12 points off the kicking tee to keep Old Boys at bay.
Hautapu B lost 23-16 to Fraser Tech B, while Te Awamutu’s development side lost 69-21 in the hands of Old Boys B.
In division 1A Ōhaupō beat Putāruru 28-26 at Nola Block and Leamington headed to Pirongia for a 26-19 win.
As the second round beckons, Ōhaupō will play in the division 1A championship and the premiership will feature Pirongia and Leamington.
In division 1B teams, Pirongia B dealt to Leamington B 43-7 and Ōhaupō B pipped Putāruru B 18-15.
Hautapu and Kihikihi both succumbed to defeats in the women’s premiership as did Pirongia in the championship.
In the combined Waikato-Counties Manukau Under-85kg rugby competition Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs face Morrinsville Sports Majestic Pukekos in the Waikato semi-final on Saturday.
Te Awamutu Sports prop Liam Pratt takes on the Hamilton Old Boys defence. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
