Sharman Bowl Grand Final  

Papatoetoe Panthers 23 Vs 20 Pakuranga Jaguars  

The Papatoetoe Panthers have won the Sharman Bowl in a huge game against the Pakuranga Jaguars. The battle of the big cats was hard fought and high scoring, but it would be the Panthers who would taste glory, but it wasn’t without a scare. Jordyn Makiha, Papatoetoe’s half back lead his side around the park and created important opportunities for the Panther's side. They scored all of their 23 points in the first half, looking to comfortably take the Bowl back to their Club on Friday night, but the Jaguars came fighting back. In the end, Papatoetoe’s first half proved enough to top Pakuranga’s second and the Panthers were able to get the job down. A huge congratulations to Papatoetoe for an outstanding season.  

Fox Premiership Semi-Finals

Pt Chevalier Pirates 58 vs 10 Howick Hornets  

The Pt Chevalier Pirates have made the Fox Premiership Grand Final for 2023 in a dominant victory against the Howick Hornets. The game was all but over at half time with the Pirates taking a 30-4 lead at the break. The pressure did not stop there, as the Pirates side was ruthless, showing they were ready for finals after losing to Mt Albert in the last round fired up the champions. Levi Helleur-atiga and Presley Seumanu scored doubles in what was a perfect team performance from the Pirates, which gives their side a great boost when coming into this 2023 Grand Final. A tough loss for Howick, but a great year for the Hornets, if they can build on current numbers, there’s a good chance they will be back in that top four next season. 

Richmond Bulldogs 8 vs 6 Papakura Sea Eagles  

The Richmond Bulldogs claimed their spot in the 2023 Fox Premiership Grand Final, beating the Papakura Sea Eagles in a close, hard-hitting game. Lewis Soosemea scored early for the Sea Eagles and William Tuhikiterangi Pompey kicked a penalty goal in the 17th minute to give the Sea Eagles a 6-point lead. Navajo Doyle scored with 10 minutes to go in the first half and converted his own try. The second half was tough, both sides not giving an inch and it could have really gone either way. The deadlock broke in the 65th minute when Richmond received a penalty and decided to take the 2 points. Beau Cordtz kicked what was the game winning points and sent the Bulldogs to the Grand Final. Can the Minor Premiers upset last year's champions Pt Chevalier and wrap up their 110th season in historic fashion; we will find out at Mt Smart #2 on Saturday, 19 August. 

Plate Playoff   

Mt Albert Lions 16 vs 4 Manukau Magpies  

The Mt Albert Lions have booked a spot in the Fox Plate Grand Final this Sunday after a huge win against the Manukau Magpies. After a scoreless first half. Corey Seator was the first to score for the Lions. Manukau’s Kahn Munokoa leveled the game at 4-4. It would be Mt Albert Lions day as Corey Seator got his double and Trent Schaumkel also got a try to give the Lions a 16-4 win.  

Te Atatu Roosters 32 vs 6 Glenora Bears  

In the battle of the west, the Te Atatu Roosters smashed the Glenora Bears ending any hope of glory for last year's Fox Premiership Finalists. Te Atatu’s Api Pewhairangi and Bostyn Hakaraia ran the show for the Roosters and guided their team to a huge win. Both halves scored tries and kicked some goals for their side. The finals experience of the Bears was not enough to get them over the line. The Bears were only down by 8 but 3 tries in the closing quarter for Te Atatu sealed the win for the Roosters to set up a huge clash with the Mt Albert Lions, this Sunday at Mt Smart #2. 

Women’s Premiership  

Howick Premier Women’s 22 vs 18 City  

The Howick Hornets side have made the Grand Final in stunning fashion at Paparoa Park. The home side took a narrow 10-8 lead into the break but there would be a lot more excitement in the second half. Paulina Morris-Ponga had a fantastic game for City, scoring her second try in the 60th minute, giving the City side a 2-point lead with 20 minutes to go. Both sides were going at it, but no one broke, until supersub Malia Tova scored a converted try to send the Howick side to the Grand Final, a painful finish for the City side, who have grown the Pt Chevalier/Ponsonby combinations throughout the season. This new combined team had a fantastic season, and we expect City to be back better than ever next year. A huge congratulations to the Minor Premiers Howick on making the Grand Final. 

Otara Scorpions 4 vs 20 Mt Albert Lionesses  

The Mt Albert Lionesses are headed to the Grand Final for the Women’s Premiership. This is their first time going to the Grand Final, and this is their first year in the competition since Covid, a huge effort by the Mt Albert side this season. Moana Cook had a brilliant game in the middle of the park, as she made big tackles, had damaging runs, and was rewarded with a try. Mt Albert’s team fitness and determination got them over the line in a classic semi-final team performance. The Otara Scorpions side just could not pull the performance they wanted together. After going undefeated for most of the season, they lost their last three games which was a disappointing way to end their remarkable season. They will have plenty of motivation to return next year and build on their 2023 successes. 

Sharman Cup  

Otara Scorpions 18 vs 16 Ponsonby Ponies  

 The Otara Scorpions made a massive comeback against the Ponsonby Ponies to seal a spot on the Sharman Cup Grand Final. Ponsonby Ponies half Dion Fraser had an electric first half kicking four goals and putting on impressive plays for the Ponies. Filipo Utai scored late to bring the score to 16-4 at half time. The second half was all Otara, Fuamaila Gatapu was the man of the moment kicking the game winning penalty conversion with minutes in the clock, sending the undefeated Scorpions to a huge Grand Final this Sunday and giving them a shot at wrapping up the perfect season. 

Northcote Tigers 35 vs 22 Hibiscus Coast Raiders  

The battle of North Shore against the Coast, for a spot in the 2023 Sharman Cup Grand Final and competing for the Ted Dalton Cup. Northcote started quickly with Albert Talakai scoring twice in the space of 10 minutes. The Raiders struck back through Kavana Te Kiri Ryan making it 8-6. Captain Huston Holloway muscled his way over to extend the Tigers lead before Raiders hooker Mavae Muru Teutau scored a great solo effort to tie the game. The Raiders kicked a penalty goal at halftime to go into the break leading 14-12. In the second half Northcote dominated the battle up the middle and a couple of injuries to outside backs for the Raiders made it difficult and they ended up running out of gas. Jason Bhana scored an impressive double to put the Tigers into this Sunday’s contest, seeing them going to Premiership Grand Finals in back-to-back seasons. 

Article added: Monday 07 August 2023