Strong weekend for Waipā premiers

Hautapu winger Waisake Salabiau puts on the afterburners on the way to the tryline. Photo: Matt Gould

Both Waipā premier teams were victorious in Waikato club rugby on Saturday, Te Awamutu Sports defeated University 27-12 in front of home fans and Hautapu beat Ōtorohanga 32-29.

Te Awamutu-born Mitch Jacobson in action for Hautapu. Photo: Matt Gould

Halfback Coby Osborne scored a double for Te Awamutu at Albert Park.

Forwards Albert Nadan and Rameriz Viane also grabbed tries, while Leo Scott added seven points of the kicking tee.

Further south at Ōtorohanga’s Island Reserve, Waikato winger Waisake Salabiau scored two tries for the Cambridge club.

Amos Faaoloa, David Morris and Todd Silva also crossed the chalk for the visitors.

Dillon Martin and Rangiwai Lunjevich added a conversion each to the Hautapu tally.

Neither premier B team was successful on the scoreboard. Te Awamutu Sports development fell 31-12 against University B and Hautapu B lost to their Ōtorohanga counterparts 29-21.

Leamington had a division 1 bye week, while Pirongia demolished Te Rapa 52-17 under the mountain and Ōhaupō lost 34-12 to Suburbs in Hamilton.

None of the division 1B teams took the field.

Leamington B followed suit having a bye week, Pirongia B won by default after Te Rapa B pulled out of the match and Ōhaupō B received the result of a draw with Suburbs B, as no match officials were available.

The Waipā battle took place in the women’s premiership at Kihikihi Domain.

Hautapu took the win 55-15 against Kihikihi women, scoring nine tries to three.

Hannah Gordon was impressive, adding four conversions and two tries to the Hautapu scoreboard.

Anna Gallaher secured a hat-trick and Kaesha Nairn also scored two tries.

This Saturday will Kihikihi face University and Hautapu take on Hamilton Old Boys Huskiez.

Women’s championship division team Pirongia had a 48-10 win against the travelling Hinuera.

The home side scored eight tries to two at the domain.

Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Hautapu were winners in the under-21 competition on Saturday.

Te Awamutu beat Hinuera 22-17, Pirongia colts won by default against Matamata and Hautapu pipped Fraser Tech 17-15.

The Leamington and Hamilton Old Boys under-21 clash finished -0- – with neither team troubling the scorer.

The Kio Kio United Cattle Dogs lost 36-15 to Fraser Tech at Maihihi on Saturday in the combined Waikato-Counties Manukau Under-85kg rugby competition. Kio Kio have a bye this weekend.

Hautapu winger Waisake Salabiau puts on the afterburners on the way to the tryline. Photo: Matt Gould

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