CLUB RUGBY:

A hat-trick from New Plymouth Old Boys’ halfback Shaan Waite helped pile on the points against Southern in the opening round of the CMK premier club rugby competition.

In a high scoring match in Hawera, the defending champions beat Southern 48-18 to continue their dominance from last season.

Waite, who has been an in-form halfback for a couple of seasons, worked together with fellow Old Boys’ backs to score his three tries.  

Despite missing first five-eighth Daniel Waite and midfielder Brayton Northcott-Hill to injury, Old Boys’ intent was clear as they lead 28-8 at the break.

Southern managed to score one late try, but the damage had already been done by the visitors.

Clifton fullback Liam Blyde and centre Daniel Rona scored a brace each in their strong 43-12 win over Inglewood at the Tikorangi Domain.

Clifton scored seven tries to one, including two runaways from deep inside their half that Blyde and Rona scored. Their other tries came after finishing off moves their forwards created.

Much like Old Boys in their match, Clifton denied the opposition any opportunity to play and had a comfortable 31-7 lead at halftime.

Coastal had to work hard for their 16-10 win against Spotswood United in a physical encounter around the coast.

Played at the Rahotu Domain, Coastal only scored one converted try but it was the boot of Rick McKenna, who slotted three penalty kicks, that was the difference between the two sides.

Spotswood United showed a lot of promise and scored an attractive a length of the field try in the first half but trailed 10-5 at the break.

The visitors scored their double in the second half, but it was Coastal’s defensive effort that proved too strong in the end.

Stratford/Eltham is starting to become a bogey team for Tukapa beating them 20-19 at Sanders Park.

In the opening weekend of the 2017 season, after Tukapa won the title, Stratford/Eltham narrowly beat them at Victoria Park in similar circumstances.

On Saturday, Tukapa fullback Eli Kneepkens narrowly missed a penalty kick with three minutes remaining that proved costly in the end.  

Stratford/Eltham only scored one try to three, but Jordan Masters shone with his accuracy as he kicked five penalties.

Once again, Tukapa first five-eighth Jayson Potroz showed his experience throughout the match. He scored the most attractive try of the match after he stabbed a kick in behind the Stratford/Eltham defence and dived on the ball to score.

Division One and Colts results can be found here

Article added: Sunday 31 March 2019