The Bay Roskill Vikings and Manukau Magpies have fought out a high scoring 40-all draw in Round 4 of the Auckland Fox Memorial Premiership.
Manukau 40 – 40 Bay Roskill
This week’s livestream game was an instant classic at Moyle Park with great performances on both sides of the paddock. The game was very tit-for-tat throughout with each side neither team able to establish a comfortable lead. The Vikings looked as though they had started to get away with it before the Magpies came storming back to take the lead. Samuel Nati did a great job controlling the game from at the 7 for Manukau and kept them in the game with pinpoint goal-kicking from each side-line. Scoring on fulltime, a seemingly injured Joshua Tanielu was cool, calm and collected as he slotted the extra two to end the contest in a draw.
Manurewa 26 – 22 Northcote
Manurewa have pulled off an upset as they defeat Northcote in this round four match-up. After some strong signs in the opening rounds, they were able to secure a win at home with a complete performance from the side. The first half was evenly contested but the second half was where the Marlins took control. Hooker Eldon Kake was a standout for the south Auckland side along with young guns Temanu Temanu and Timothy Tiatia. Head coach TJ Ashford commented that it was the first full eighty minute performance from the side and that proved to be the difference allowing them to get a win on the board.
Howick 32 – 20 Otara
An Otara side that has impressed early in the season found themselves face off against the Hornets at home in a testing contest for the Scorpions. The game was an arm wrestle with not much separation in the first hour. The difference ended up being Howick’s execution in the final fifteen, capitalising on position and territory to pull away towards the final whistle. Howick Stalwart Tony Tuia put in work to help his side stay amongst the top spots in the SAS Fox Memorial Premiership.
Glenora 34 – 4 Pakuranga
An injury riddled match resulted in the game finishing early about eight minutes into the second half. A lot of stop-start due to various injuries made it hard for either team to get going. Glenora played well with limited time on the field and continue to perform well following their close opening round loss.
Ponsonby 36 – 30 Mangere East
Ponsonby came out like a house on fire from kick-off shooting out to an 18-nil lead. Mangere East clawed back, turning up to put on a close contest at Victoria Park. It was an intercept try from the Ponies’ Daymon Abbey that flipped the game back into Ponsonby’s favour. Terrence Stephens was also a quality performer for the home side, running the show from the middle and getting their first two points on the board for the season.
Marist 64 – 4 Papatoetoe
Doubles for Takaia Williams, Anthony Uili and Jonathan Aumua Falelua-Malio saw Marist get the win at Murray Halberg by a healthy margin. Marist will look to make the most of the next two weeks building up to massive test against a Glenora side that has been putting out complete performances over the past month.
Otahuhu 30 – 16 Richmond
Otahuhu have bounced back from their defeat to hand Richmond their first loss of the season. Making the most of a game at home and building on their slow start last week, the Leopards controlled the game throughout the contest proving they deserve to remain in the contender conversation this season.
Te Atatu 46 – 0 Papakura
Te Atatu continue to roll as they remain undefeated in Section 2. Spreading the performance evenly throughout the eighty minutes, Polima Siaki helped contribute dotting over for two tries of his own, taking the two points back west from their trip down south.
Pt Chevalier 72 – 8 Hibiscus Coast
Pt Chevalier have put on a statement at home against the boys from up north. A late flurry of tries from Siapo Pasene helped push the margin out in the second half. The Pirates are scheduled to take on the Mt Albert Lions in the livestream game following Queen’s Birthday bye weekend in what should help measure where they currently stand against other top teams.
