Rugby huddle. Photo: Julius Holstein, pexels.com
Hamilton Marist will host the Breweries Shield grand final on Saturday against a well-drilled Hautapu.
Hautapu’s David Morris barges towards the tryline for one of his two semi-final tries. Photo: Matt Gould
Hautapu will be a force to be reckoned with this weekend after Marist just beat Fraser Tech 21-20 in their semi clash.
The Cambridge-based side’s only loss of 2025 was in round one to Marist, 25-20.
Marist have also only dropped one game out of 13, a 38-31 round six loss against University.
It will be Hautapu’s seventh Breweries Shield final in the last eight years.
Hautapu destroyed University 67-20 in the semi-final at Cambridge Memorial Park last weekend.
Veteran loose forward David Morris helped himself to two tries, as did backs Waisake Salabiau and Amos Faaola.
Mitch Jacobson, Quentin Hill, Rico McQuoid and Archie Falconer all grabbed a try a piece.
Halfback Quintony Ngatai slotted a penalty goal and three conversions off the kicking tee, while Dillon Martin (2), Quentin Hill and Dallas Rata-Makene also added conversions.
In the division 1A Mooloo Shield competition, Pirongia beat Leamington 21-17 below the mountain.
Lochie Bolstad, Jason Hill and Hoani Ham were the home team’s try scorers.
Pivot Mitch Zeuren converted all three tries.
James Knowles and co-caption Thomas Fraser were the Leamington try scorers, while Zac Molloy added seven points off the boot.
Ōhaupō again had success in the 1A championship division, beating Taupiri 41-12.
Evergreen halfback Ryan Vickers helped himself to two tries, as did winger Josh Gore.
Utility reserve Met Camaibatiki, fullback Scott Thomas and midfielder Reed Watson also registered five-pointers.
First five-eighth Dean Fullerton kicked three conversions.
Leamington B were defeated 33-15 by their Pirongia counterparts in the Division 1B premiership and Ōhaupō B beat Taupiri B 36-17 in the 1B championship division.
This weekend, the Pirongia teams host Tokoroa’s Southern United, Leamington prepare to visit Putāruru and the Ōhaupō sides have a bye before possible home finals.
Hautapu advance to the under-21 Elliott Shield final after beating Hamilton Marist colts 25-19 in town. The sides scored three tries and two conversions each.
Two penalty goals from Hautapu’s Ned Collins were all that separated them on the scoresheet.
Hautapu will face unbeaten Hamilton Old Boys team on Saturday in their fourth colts shield final in succession.
Nippy halfback Ryan Vickers scored two tries in Ōhaupō’s victory against Taupiri. Photo: Jesse Wood
