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MATCH REPORT
Under 19's Final - Pukekohe 20 Karaka 24 - 31st July 2010
Saturday 31 July saw the last appearance of a Pukekohe team for the 2010 season. The Under 19's had made it to the Grand Final of their competition and played Karaka as a curtain raiser to the first ITM Cup game Counties-Manukau V Otago for the Bright Cup.
It was a captivating game which saw the lead change several times but in the final few minutes Karaka kept Pukekohe in their own territory and ran out winners 24 - 20.
A big thanks go to Allan Gibbons and his coaching team of Anton Page, Russell Kilgour, Darren Butcher and manager Kim Tilyard.
It was a good year for the Pukekohe Club with all four teams reaching the semifinals and the Premiers, Under 21's and Under 19's competing but each narrowly losing their respective Finals. Over the season all the teams played some brilliant rugby which reflected in packed Clubrooms and very satisfied supporters and sponsors.
Premiers Final
Waiuku 25 v Pukekohe 20 - 17th July 2010
Saturday July 17 saw the finals of the Counties Power club competition. There were high expectations around Pukekohe as the Premiers final for the T P McNamara Cup at Growers Stadium was between home team Pukekohe and close rivals Waiuku and a large crowd of supporters from both Clubs turned up to witness the occasion.
Pukekohe suffered a setback before the game as outstanding lock forward Taiasina Tuifua was concussed while playing for Counties in a warm up match against Auckland on Wednesday prior to the final.
After attacking early in the game, Pukekohe were rewarded when centre Seremaia Tagicakibau beat the defense and crossed for a fine try which was converted by Rob Dennison. Waiuku replied with a penalty to Bayden Morey and then Waiuku scored two tries to top try scorer, prop Simon Lemalu from very close goal line attacks. Both were converted by Bayden Morey. Rob Dennison kept Pukekohe in touch with two penalties going to the halftime break with the score at 17 - 13 to Waiuku.
After halftime Pukekohe received a penalty which was quickly tapped by halfback Kevin Farrell and fed to No 7 Maama Vaipulu who then ran 70 metres to score under the posts with Rob Dennison adding the conversion. This was an outstanding effort and you would have to go a long way to see a better try. Bayden Morey kicked a penalty for Waiuku locking the score up at 20 - 20 and it remained this way for the majority of the second half. The deadlock was broken with 10 minutes to go when replacement halfback Notise Tauafoa crossed for a try to Waiuku which was unconverted. Pukekohe threw everything at Waiuku in the last few minutes but the final whistle went with the score at 25-20 to Waiuku.
There was jubilation for Waiuku supporters and disappointment for Pukekohe but they can hold their heads high as they had a good season playing excellent rugby and were worthy finalists.
A big effort from the coaching staff of Rhys Cullinane, Kerry Newson, former All Blacks Mark Brooke-Cowden and Joeli Vidiri and the management of Pat Goscomb, Clayton Marriner and Billy Hammond, Sadly Rhys (Tooley) Cullinane has indicated that this will be his last year of coaching.
Pukekohe Premiers side was:-
(15) Rob Dennison, (14) Peni Buakula, (13) Seremaia Tagicakibau, (12) Nigel Watson, (11)
David Raikuna, (10) Armyn Sanders, (9) Kevin Farrell, (8) Manoa Lesavua, (7) Maama Vaipulu, (6) Brendon Farrell, (5) Jamie Chipman, (4) Willie Crisp, (3) Sione Sione, (2) Mark Price (Captain), (1) Tommy Short.
Reserves:- Andrew Cameron, Daniel Oliver, Brad Thornton, Paul Ivamy, Ben Crisp, Graham Dewes, Michael Porter.
The referee was Simon Brown.
The Under 21's also played their final earlier on Growers Stadium No 2 against Patumahoe but did not play as well as they have been and lost 11 - 5.
A big effort from their coaching staff of Victor Martinovich and Paul Cronin and management of Mike Burnett, Sean Cronin, Kurt Barnes and trainer Kevin Cowsill.
The Under 19's beat Papakura on Friday night 62 - 0 and play Waiuku in the semi finals at Colin Lawrie Fields at 1.00pm on saturday.