Local Footy: PURC and Hornets march on

Rugby league

Howick 78 Papakura 0

For the second week in a row, the Howick Hornets powered to a comfortable victory-this time over Papakura. The win was highlighted with a double to returning prop Tony Tuia. The Hornets scored early and were always in control, with the win lifting them to sixth position on the ladder.

Pakuranga 26 Manurewa 34

Manurewa secured a crucial win over Pakuranga at Ti Rakau Park which sees them jump past the Jaguars into third place on the second division ladder. Andrew Tusiane grabbed a double in the win, with Pakuranga scoring a couple of tries late to give the Marlins a scare.

Rugby union

Pakuranga United Rugby Club (PURC) premiers had a big win over Manukau 59-3. Director of coaching Pita Alatini said, “Two great games of footy over the weekend, the first was Pakuranga over Manukau by 59 points to 3, some of you may think that it was a hiding and it was down to poor opposition but the reality is Manukau had apparently targeted this game as one to win to put their own season on track.

“The first 20 minutes were brutal and showed on the score board with a half-time score of 17 points to 3. The second half showed the cohesion that the coaches had been looking for with PURC putting phases together and taking the game to Manukau to come away with not only the win but importantly improved their potentially crucial points differential, which lifted  the Access Solutions Premiers to 30 points and third on the table.”

George Taina had a great day out collecting two tries and kicking 7 conversions and a penalty for 27 points.

Player of the day was Dwayne Polataivao who stood out whilst playing out of position in the first half at inside centre before reverting back to his more familiar halfback role,” said Alatini.

“His defence was outstanding in the midfield against his opposite who was twice his size and three times his weight” added Alatini.

The Pakuranga Puma’s development side also had a win against Manukau Rovers 26-5.