Club Footy

Headed along to the Kamo v Hika game at Kamo today.

Was a very strong Kamo side with both Tua & Goodhue taking the field along with Blake Hohaia, Straker, Murray along with a number of other classy players, I thought they'd be far too strong for Hika.

In the end, they were, but they were made to work hard!

First 20 were spent defending thier own line, some excellent defence as Hika attacked over and over, eventually Kamo having a man in the bin, Hika finally hit and took a 5 point lead.

Kamo with thier bigger names never really managed to get going as you'd expect, they dominated up front, but struggled at lineout time and alot of passes going to ground.

Kamo lead 15-5 (I think..I've had Beers, Mojitos and Pina Coladas since...) and turned to have the breeze at thier back.

HIka again started strongly, and closed the gap briefly, before Kamo stretched the lead and from there didnt really look like losing, running out winner 36-15.

Hika played bloody well against thier much vaunted opposites, only area Kamo had clear edge was at scrum time, although they did sub off Todd McDowell soon after the break and scrums were a little more even.

Tua had moments, but needed to pass a few times to the sharp looking Shelford Murray outside him, same with Hohaia, who was probably my pick of the day with his orgainsation, running and bruising defence, he got a bit hungus on a couple of occasions, but one they recycled and scored instantly.

Straker looks a pretty mobile prop, involved heavily on defence and at scrum time, saw one decent run.

Goodhue as always threw himself about, but despite having a much taller lineout, they did struggle, although the throwing was a bit average with a few not straights and plenty not hitting the mark.

Berridge was quiet in the first spell, but got going in the second, Sykes was a threat from the back of rucks and in broken play.

Shelford Murray looked sharp, nice footwork and some wheels, but didnt see a huge amount of ball as Kamo did spend alot of time defending in the game.

Was a good game, played in good spirit, some brutal defence, which I think was only one borderline high (pointed out by the guy who was grading the ref I was standing with)

Kamo will be tough to beat, especially once they gel a bit better, they had a bloody strong team out there today, so for Hika to keep them under 50 was a good effort!

@taniwharugby anybody from Hikurangi stand out..?

@steven-harris thier pack did look to tire near end of the first spell but they kept getting back up.

I don't know the names of the ones that looked good, but one of thier props was into everything as was thier 7, thier 9 tackled and tackled.

Kamo continuing thier march on with a 48-8 demolition of Kerikeri, while OBM also remain unbeaten with a comprehensive 36-10 beating of Western Sharks in Dargaville.

all other results HERE

Surprising to see Hawkes beat Mid Northern, but anyone know why Hawkes are on 0 points after 2 wins?

@northlandallday Mid-Northern have lost players players all over the shop from the last couple of seasons,the Apoua brothers who were a big part of their pack have moved back to Auckland while some players have moved back to Kerikeri and some to Hikurangi ,also I don’t think Waisea Lawabuka is in New Zealand..apparently Jordon Olsen played openside flanker for Mid-Northern scored 3 x tries and was close to the best player on the paddock,Matt Moulds scored a late try to secure the victory for Otamatea..
Otamatea have picked a very handy first five from the Glenfield club in Auckland and Cole Campbell who was a lock around the Northland scene several seasons back has returned from overseas.
Wellsford are apparently struggling with injuries and unavailability but once many of these players return,Ross Wright,Matt Wright,Jordon Hyland and Sean Sweetman to name a few.

@steven-harris
The surprising result tho considering Mid Northern were so close to beating OBM whilst Hawkes got beaten by Kerikeri, I guess at least they have turned that around with the win over Wellsford and MN, must be more than just one or two players. I had a yarn this week about the MN game and heard Moulds scored 3 tries and played a variety of positions. Also found out what's up with the points...

Results from Easter Weekend

Otamatea 15 Old Boys Marist 15
Hikurangi 14 Western Sharks 10
Hora Hora 53 Kerikeri 17
Kamo 69 Wellsford 10
Mid Northern 27 Waipu 27

Going to take some sort of team to knock over Kamo in this years comp,
Big improvers since round 1 have been Otamatea who since beaten both Wellsford & Mid Northern although they were held to 15 all draw last Friday,Cole Campbell having a big influence on the Hawks forward pack.
Hora Hora are all looking like a much improved unit in 2018.
I have heard Wellsford still have many injuries and unavailabilities but I would imagine come the 2nd round the will welcome back players like Matt & Ross Wright ,Jordon Hyland & Sean Sweetman

Both Old Boys Marist and Mid Northern I believe are both rebuilding this year with many players having moved on from both clubs.

Waipu lost Rinakama to a short overseas contract ,but I understand he will be back before the start of the Mitre 10 season for Northland,
Hopefully available for Waipu as well,Sam McNamara who has been unavailable for the last few weeks should be retuning this weekend along with Fijian and Northland sevens player Tavite Gadeisuva who was Northlands best at the National 7s back in January

One player to keep an eye on is last years Fijian under 20 lock and captain Temo Mayanavanua who at 1.98 and 120kg is quite the athlete,I understand he is very fit and incredibly athletic and physical around the paddock,given Northland don’t have a huge amount of size in the region ,I will be very interested in his progress.

Yep Kamo have a strong squad and are playing to thier strengths.

Kamo Prems continue thier march, 8/8 now, at home they got past Waipu 27-5.

Gus Collins made a brief appearance off the bench to lean on a scrum or 2 for the reserves, Tony MOnaghan also had a run around as he got to line up with his son who was in the mid-field.

Prems table
Kamo 39 points
Hora Hora 35
Old Boys Marist 28
Mid NOrthern 21
Waipu 20
Kerikeri 18
Hikurangi 13
Wellsford 12
Otamatea 9
Western Sharks 9

rest of the results:

BAYLEYS CLUB RUGBY RESULTS from Saturday 28th April 2018

Championship (Blackie Walters South Zone)
Pipiwai vs Whangaruru TBC
Southern 60 vs 10 Mangakahia
Dargaville Old Boys LBD vs WBD Tomarata
Kaihu 17 vs 19 Mid Western Rugby

Premier (Joe Morgan Memorial)
Hikurangi 17 vs 32 Mid Northern
Kamo 27 vs 5 Waipu
Otamatea 24 vs 39 Hora Hora
Wellsford 22 v 24 Old Boys Marist
Western Sharks 27 vs 22 Kerikeri

Premier Reserve (Section A)
Hikurangi 12 vs 15 Mid Northern
Kamo 29 vs 14 Waipu
Otamatea 25 vs 27 Hora Hora
Wellsford 7 vs 20 Old Boys Marist
Western Sharks 29 vs 26 Kerikeri

BIt of an upset with Waipu getting up over Hora HOra

Kamo were trailing at the break.

Big win by OBM there.

@Steven-Harris when do Wellsford get Ranger?

@taniwharugby unsure of Rangers return,but you would want him to get a few games under his belt for Mitre 10 cup

OBM & HH both pick up wins to keep in touch with Kamo.

OBM made to work against Western Sharks, went to the break with a 28-10 lead, and a huge crosswind that was just angled at thier backs in the 1st spell.

Kamo handed thier first defeat of the season out at Waipu, going down 25-20.

Otamatea defaulted to Kamo today, I guess fortunate for Kamo that a home semi wasnt relying on them getting a BP win...shame really, was Kamo's club day and was a good day with all the Junior teams out in good form too!

@taniwharugby Defaulting a Senior Prem side should mean they get some sort of penalty.

@kev definitely!!

TR Jnrs game was postponed as them and their scheduled opposition provide about 24 kids in the Taniwha Shield this week so I had a rare chance to mooch about watching other kids teams and talk to people and they were very unhappy, it isnt just the game, its the supporters that turn up to watch and have a couple of beers after the game, and when your club is winning, that is a bigger hit.

I think they now have to front up for the Promo-Relegation game v Tomarata...

If promoted I wonder if Ranger would head back for a few games!