It was a wet and windy day for club rugby in Auckland. In spite of this, there were plenty of points scored and a number of entertaining results with teams looking to make a push with only a few weeks remaining in the round-robin for both the men and women’s competitions.

Eden and Grammar TEC got things underway for the men. Gribblehirst Park has proved to be somewhat of a fortress for Eden in recent times and today proved no different with the home side grinding out a valuable win and denying their opposition a bonus-point in the process.

Marist look to be in a good place for semi-final footy after their victory over College Rifles today. The first 40 minutes was a cagey affair before Marist unleashed in the second spell. The home side simply coped better with the conditions and were able to exploit them to their benefit resulting in a comfortable victory, 34-7.

Ponsonby continue to look like possible back-to-back champions after a victory against Pakuranga at Western Springs today. Despite holding only a slender lead at halftime, the reigning champions dominated in the second half to bring up Joe Royal’s century of games in style, 44-10.

Papatoetoe and Waitemata came together once again in 2019 with Waitemata too strong this time around. Trailing by 19-0 at the break, Papatoetoe gave themselves too much to do in the remaining 40 minutes, eventually succumbing by 31-10.

Mt Wellington proved too strong for Otahuhu at Hamlin Park with the home side’s defence laying the platform to see them through for the win. Four tries also mean Mt Wellington secure a bonus point and push themselves back into semi-final contention in the Portola competition.

East Tamaki recorded a valuable victory at home against the travelling Waitakere. Heading into the match as marginal underdogs, East Tamaki showed plenty of ticker to withstand the inevitable late onslaught by Waitakere and prevail by 24-19.

University are continuing to look strong with today’s victory against Manukau away from home. The conditions were always going to challenge both sides at Williams Park and the halftime score of 3-0 in favour of University reflected that. The final score of 15-0 to the students saw them keep Manukau scoreless and unable to record a bonus-point from the match.

In the final match of the men’s competition for the round, Suburbs claimed their second victory on the trot with Te Papapa unable to stay with them over the 80 minutes. Leading by only 10 points at the break, Suburbs held strong in the second half and extended their lead to see them finish as victors, 32-14.

The women’s competition saw the Ponsonby Fillies claim a home victory over East Coast Bays-Glenfield in dominant fashion. ECB/Glenfield would have been buoyed by their result last week, but were met by a determined Ponsonby side who left no stone unturned in the game today.

College Rifles were successful against the travelling Ardmore Marist and showcased their full array of skills. The result sees College Rifles formally re-announce themselves in the competition as they look to potentially claim back-to-back championships.

Manurewa further consolidated themselves in the ‘Top 4’ with Eden overwhelmed by the relentless Counties Manukau side. It certainly sees a solidified ‘Top 3’ now being formed with Marist, College Rifles and Manurewa the frontrunners in 2019 so far.

Premier Men’s Round 3 (Alan McEvoy & Portola) & Women’s Round 10 Results – Saturday 8 June 2019

Alan McEvoy Trophy

Eden 21 (M Leaana 2, D Liaina tries, C Morgan 3 conv)

Grammar TEC 8 (TJ Vaega try, R Wye pen) Halftime 14 - 3

Marist 34 (M Courtis, M Manu, S Masoe, M Sosene-Feagai, K Muli, H Sotutu tries, O Polson 2 conv)

College Rifles 7 (E Lamositele try, A Somerset conv) Halftime 12 - 0

Ponsonby 44 (J Cooper 2, T Puloka, F Vaha’akolo 2, W Riedlinger-Kapa tries, J Cooper 4 conv, J Cooper 2 pen)

Pakuranga 10 (T Mauafua try, H Ahokovi conv, H Ahokovi pen) Halftime 11 - 3

Waitemata 31 (DJ Forbes, J Matautia, C Moors, J Tofa-Va’a, I Vakauta tries, J Matautia 3 conv)

Papatoetoe 10 (V Lolohea, W Silipa tries) Halftime 19 – 0

Portola Trophy

Mt Wellington 22 (K Burgess, F Malu, H Peaua 2 tries, A Tapili conv)

Otahuhu 8 (F Kolio Sio try, F Fomai pen) Halftime 7 - 8

East Tamaki 24 (P Filimoeatu 2, T Iosua, J Taga’ilima tries, T Iosua 2 conv)

Waitakere 19 (A Faaleleiga, R Spitzenberg-Temita, T Tamenari tries, T Tamenari 2 conv) Halftime 14 - 14

University 15 (A Duckett, R Patea Seve tries, H Miller conv, H Miller pen)

Manukau 0 Halftime 3 - 0

Suburbs 32 (J Adams, D Halaholo, M Palea, O Shepherd, E Thompson, B Tuivai tries, B Moyer conv)

Te Papapa 14 (TBC tries, TBC conv, TBC pen) Halftime 15 - 5

Premier Women’s

Eden 0 v Manurewa 58

Ponsonby 62 v ECB/GLFD 8

College Rifles 102 v Ardmore 5