Auckland U18 Crowns complete the
weekend double

I think I wrote a headline on Saturday that said the Auckland Crowns were "rampant" over the First National Northland team in the Foundation Cup. I think I used that word a little early, Ericcson Stadium on Sunday saw the Auckland Crowns absolutely annihilate Northland in the Kiwi Cup game by 70 points to 4 I expected more, I expected a lot more, from the Northland side. They started well, scored shortly after kick off, through dummy half, Sam Moli. That was about the point where they ceased to take any further part in the game. The Auckland side replied to the visitors try, fairly quickly through Five Eight, Darin Kingi. Paki Ormsby converted and the Crowns took over. Five further tries to the Crowns, including a second to Kingi, saw the scoreboard at the break reading 36/4 to the Auckland side. The Northland side had their heads down when it got to 20 odd to 4 and things were not going to get any better at all. The Auckland Crowns came out after the spell and went up a gear. At a point, about half way through the second half, they were scoring off every set. Northland simply had no answers. A couple of individual breaks showed some promise, but nothing eventuated. The Crowns just kept going. It was with some relief, for the First National Northland team (and for most of us in the crowd) when the the final hooter blew. For the Crowns, Paki Ormsby, a Warrior Development player, had a huge game. A hat trick and a heap of goals saw him pick up 24 points for the game. Darin Kingi, a player involved in the Manly Kiwi connection, scored a brace in front of the Manly bosses at Ericcson for the NRL game. Winger, Nui Talau, had another big game. Pona Jack, off the bench, scored a couple. Props, Alistair Taua'a and Alex Tafili played extremely well in setting the platform and Second Rower, Tyler Cassidy worked all day.

LION FOUNDATION NJC - ROUND 2 RESULTS

Sunday 13 March 2005

Kiwi Cup 18's

Auckland Crowns vs First National Northland Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Sea Eagles) Auckland Crowns 70 Tries: James Nathan, Mataika Vatuvei, James Blackwell, Alistair Taua'a, Arron Pawley, Pona Jack (2), Darin Kingi (2), Cooper Vuna (2), Paki Ormsby (3) Goals: Scott Jones (1), James Nathan (2), Paki Ormsby (4)

First National Northland 4 Tries: Sam Moli

Halftime Score: 28 - 4 To Auckland Crowns

COMPETITION STANDINGS (At The Conclusion Of Round 2)

Foundation Cup 16's Team Name Played Win Draw Lost For Against Diff Points Auckland Sea Lions 2 2 0 0 64 28 36 4 Auckland Crowns 2 2 0 0 70 62 8 4 First National Northland 2 1 0 1 24 12 12 2 Canterbury 2 1 0 1 34 66 -32 2 Wellington 2 0 0 2 30 40 -10 0 Waicoa Bay Stallions 2 0 0 2 36 50 -14 0

Kiwi Cup 18's Team Name Played Win Draw Lost For Against Diff Points Auckland Crowns 2 2 0 0 92 21 71 4 Canterbury 2 2 0 0 72 40 32 4 Auckland Sea Lions 2 1 0 1 56 58 -2 2 Waicoa Bay Stallions 2 1 0 1 62 78 -16 2 Wellington 2 0 0 2 47 58 -11 0 First National Northland 2 0 0 2 38 112 -74 0