Rugby huddle. Photo: Julius Holstein, pexels.com
Hautapu have secured a home Breweries Shield semi-final against University on Saturday, while Te Awamutu Sports ended their Waikato club rugby premiership season on a high.
Hautapu speedster Waisake Salabiau has certainly shown he knows his way to the tryline this season. Photo: Matt Gould.
After travelling to Hamilton, Hautapu dealt to Hamilton Old Boys 64-14 at Fred Jones Park.
Rangy lock Dylan Eti and Quentin Hill registered doubles in the 10 tries to two drubbing.
Others to cross the chalk were Quintony Ngatai, Waisake Salabiau, David Morris, Rui Farrant, Amos Faaola and Dallas Rata-Makene. Conversions were added by Ngatai, Rata-Makene (4) and Dillon Martin (2).
Hautapu finished the round-robin in second place, registering 12 wins and a loss.
On Saturday they will host University at Cambridge Memorial Park.
Te Awamutu Sports beat Morrinsville 33-12 in their final game of the season.
The home crowd witnessed try scoring efforts from Ethan Refoy, Connor Moore, captain Jake Russ, Leo Scott and veteran Brad Van der Heyden. Scott also added eight points off the kicking tee.
Sports finished the season in sixth place after six wins, six losses and a draw.
In the premier development competition, Hautapu B pipped Old Boys B 26-22 and Te Awamutu’s development side lost 22-12 to Morrinsville. Hautapu B’s season is over, as is Te Awamutu’s, after finishing fifth and 10th respectively.
Leamington and Pirongia were both beaten in the division 1A Mooloo Shield round,
Leamington were demolished 53-5 at home by Suburbs, who had the services of Hurricanes back Daniel Sinkinson and former All Blacks first five-eighth Lima Sopoaga.
Pirongia fell 38-17 to Hinuera at Wealleans Park.
Ōhaupō again had success in the 1A championship division, beating Te Rapa 33-17.
In Division 1B, all three Waipā teams had success.
Leamington B beat Suburbs B 26-24, Pirongia beat their Hinuera counterparts 24-13 and Ōhaupō B defeated Te Rapa B 26-12.
Hautapu thumped Pirongia 74-10 in the under-21 competition, while Te Awamutu Sports beat Morrinsville under-21 28-25 and Leamington lost 24-17 to Fraser Tech colts.
Tane Barlow and Maraekaiti Nepia registered hat-tricks in Hautapu’s 12 tries to two victory.
Hautapu are the only Waipā under-21 side to advance as the semi-finals beckon this weekend. They will face Hamilton Marist. Te Awamutu finished ninth overall, Pirongia 10th and Leamington 12th.
Fullback Leo Scott on his way to the tryline during Te Awamutu Sports’ victory against Morrinsville. Photo: Justin Miezenbeek
