A big weekend of club rugby wraps up with Gallagher Women’s Premiership finalists confirmed while Putaruru women’s avoid the dreaded promotion relegation game with a strong win over Southern United. Te Awamutu Sports secured fifth spot on the ladder and secured top five honours in the men’s Premiership and Taupiri pick up their first win of 2023.

For the fifth consecutive season, the Huskies and Melville will do battle in the Gallagher Women’s Premiership club final on Saturday 10^th July following two comprehensive victories in each of their respective semi-finals. The Huskies hosted Kihikihi at Willoughby Park and ran in seven tries to four in a well put together 45-24 victory over the travelling Kihikihi ladies. In what was a tight contest for the most part, a strong Kihikihi side came to town to spoil the Huskies party - for the all the effort, unfortunately they could not stick with the highflyer Huskies side. The dominant team of women’s club rugby in the Waikato over recent seasons will again host Melville in the main event and be looking for their third title in as many years.

Melville booked their ticket to the big dance with a dominant performance over University winning 36-5. Following their 22all draw only a matter of weeks ago, the Melville ladies put in a much-improved performance and started strong. Running in early tries was enough for Melville to book their spot in yet another final.

Both teams will take Kings Birthday weekend off, before a celebration of women’s rugby takes place on Saturday 10^th July where the Premiership final will be the main event, following the Promotion / Relegation game between Southern United and Taupiri.

Taupiri won their Women’s Championship Final on Saturday with another strong showing vs Hauraki North. Taupiri, who were undefeated in the regular season hosted the ladies from Hauraki in front of strong hometown support winning 17-5 to book themselves a spot vs Southern United who went down to Putaruru 30-7 at Nola Block.

In the final ladies’ match of the weekend, Hamilton Marist & Otorohanga finished off their respective seasons with a tight contest at Island Reserve in Otorohanga. The Hamilton Marist ladies joining their Premier mens sides kicking off a strong day for the Hamilton based club. The ladies winning 8-5 before their Premier mens put on a clinic beating the home side in the Premier mens fixture. Hamilton Marist ladies finishing their season in fifth place.

In the men’s premiership and for the first time in a long time we saw two defaults in the same weekend – both United Matamata Sports & Melville who were consigned to the Championship in round two were struck with illness and could not field premier sides. As a result, Fraser Tech & Hamilton Old Boys won both matches with bonus points. While Hamilton Old Boys went into the weekend locked into the top five, Fraser Tech were relying on an unlikely draw between Te Awamutu Sports & University to secure the fifth and final spot in the Premiership second round. Unfortunately for Fraser Tech, that did not happen in Te Awamutu on Saturday afternoon.

Te Awamutu Sports were celebrating their 2023 Ladies Day and a special milestone for club legend Matty Towers in his 150^th Premier match hosted University. Putting on a quality performance to round out round one in front of a strong crowd at Albert Park, the home side ran out victors 38-24.

A double to Shauncy Waho increased his season tally to 11 tries over the nine rounds, and tries to Niah Church-Jones, Jake Russ & Stacey Daniel was enough to keep the home crowd in good spirits throughout the 80minutes. First Five Sam Toa converted all five off the tee and a further penalty wrapped up a strong all-round performance for the TA men.

Hamilton Marist travelled south to Island Reserve where a confident home side awaited. Undefeated at home in 2023 Otorohanga were going to be a tough challenge for the travelling men. Hamilton Marist came out firing and really took it to Otorohanga. Tries to Tom Martin, Liam Gilheany-Black, Wharenui Hawera & Leigh Bristowe ensured Hamilton Marist remained top of the ladder at the end of the first round and picked up their bit of silverware for 2023 taking home the Ron Crawford Memorial Trophy.

In Division One Taupiri picked up their first win of 2023 when they defeated Frankton at Swarbrick Park. A double to midfielder Jared Howells was the standout for Taupiri in a strong all round team performance. Leamington remain top of the table with a strong 44-14 win over the travelling Ohaupo men. Doubles to Jonah Haycock and Jarrod Davey for Leamington rounded out a comprehensive home win in front of their supporters – a win that will ensure Leamington finish round one in the top spot.

Other results see good home victories for Southern United and Putaruru. Southern United hosted Hinuera winning 35-22 while Putaruru hosted Suburbs and got home in a tight 20-14 contest. Te Rapa hosted the men from Pirongia who bounced back strong following a one point upset defeat at home last weekend, travelling to St Andrews and beating Te Rapa 24-17.

The Colts Competition saw big victories to the top three undefeated sides. Hamilton Marist hosting Hamilton Boys High and running in nine tries to win 60-9, Hamilton Old Boys winning 46-15 over Thames Valley and Hautapu taking home the Centurions Cup over Leamington 20-10.

University & Pirongia played out a tight 12all draw. Morrinsville Sports keep in touch with the top three with their own strong win 22 points to 7 over Hinuera in a very successful and special Club Day at Campbell Park.

Te Awamutu Sports travelled down to Te Kuiti Friday evening and ran in nine tries to two over the home side. Te Awamutu Sports picking up their second win of the season, a performance they are proud of and have been looking for throughout the season. Southern United kicked off the a big day down in Tokoroa when they hosted Matamata winning 35-17. Finishing up the weekend Suburbs picked up a win by default over Fraser Tech.

In the Under 85kg Competition Fraser Tech are finding the form that has seen them be a top two side for the last few seasons picking up their second win over Hamilton Marist this season. This time travelling across town the Fraser Tech men running in six tries to end up comfortably winning 33-20. Morrinsville made the most of the club day and additional support at home posting a 102-3 win over Kio Kio United. 16 tries in total made for an all round great day for the home side. Meanwhile, Leamington hosted third place Melville with the away side been too strong for the Cambridge based winning getting an impressive away victory 36-12 and make it two from two against Leamington this season.

This coming weekend the Division 1 competition heads into their final week of the first round. While the Top five and Bottom five are now locked in, there is still plenty to play for. Rankings heading into round two – as the higher seeded sides get first pick of the round two bye, while the lower seeded get what they are left with.

The Premier men split into round two contesting the Waikato Draught Breweries Shield Premiership and Championship titles – that draw is due out this week while the Premiership lady’s competition takes the weekend off to celebrate the long weekend. The final will take place on the 10^th June at Willoughby Park in Hamilton.

Article added: Monday 29 May 2023