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4 hours ago | Rhys Sullivan
Round 15 results from the weekend saw some very interesting games. Mt Albert Lions have shown competition leaders, Marist Richmond Brothers that they are a force to be reckoned with when the two sides met on Saturday afternoon in Auckland with Mt Albert winning 30-26 in a game the side showed a lot of urgency. Full credit to the Brothers fighting back from a 30-10 deficit in the last 20 minutes, but not quite nailing a victory. Now sitting just one point behind the leaders, the Lions are brimming with confidence going into the final round of the competition next weekend.
Backed by a strong north-westerly wind, the Canterbury Bulls all but blew Eastern's hopes of making the play-offs away with a devastating start. Slick passing to the left provided an overlap for wing Charlie Herekotukutuku in only the second minute. For much of the opening spell the Bulls were averaging a try every 4min, and Jimmy O'Brien was on target with his first eight conversions.
"That was great," said Bulls coach Phil Prescott, of the speed with which the Bulls got out of the blocks. "We scored some nice tries."
Last Saturday's game was Canterbury interchange second-rower Chris Newton's 50th in the Bartercard Cup. Vince Whare reaches a similar milestone against Wai-coa-Bay Stallions next weekend.
Glenora captain Mark Toelau watched his side beaten by two late tries from the North Harbour Tigers while he sat out his second sin-binning of the second half of the Bartercard Cup league match at Albany Sunday. Toelau went in the 65th minute after an altercation with Tigers prop Chris Tupou and again in the 75th minute for a high shot. The Tigers looked impressive in the 36-18 win and have kept their play-off hopes well and truly alive going into the last round.
Once again the Stallions lost their way in the second half of the match in Tauranga on Saturday afternoon as the bottom of the table Hibiscus Coast Raiders ran out the winners over the home side by 26-16 after a 12 all scoreline at halftime.
In the other games of Round 15, the Otahuhu Ellerslie side had a win over the Central Falcons and Counties Manakau Jetz set themselves up well for play-off contention with a 46-32 victory over Wellington.
Bartercard Cup Results - Round 15 -
Saturday 14th August:
Otahuhu / Ellerslie 30 D. Fisiahi, P. Fisiahi, C. Vuna, J. Yandell, J. Vaafuasuaga, A. Fausa Tries C. Wetini 3 goals
Central Falcons 18 N. Hohaia, S. Forbes, S. Kanavatatoa tries N. Hohaia 3 goals
Halftime 20 - 6 to Otahuhu/Ellerslie
Counties Manukau Jetz 46 J. Karitiana, P. Tafea, S. Foketi, A. Clyde, H. Barclay (2), G. Leota, S. Fa'alogo tries A. Clyde (7) Goals
Wellington 32 T. Ioane (4) M. Nathan, E. Vaa, tries E.Vaa (4) Goals
Halftime 24 - 20 to Counteis Manukau Jetz
Mt Albert Lions 30 M. Manu, R. Godfrey, R. Baxter, J. Tau, L. Talamanao tries S. Buckingham (5) goals
Marist - Richmond Brothers 26 J. Patelesio, J. Tavita, M.Taulapapa (2) , R. Seuala tries G. Rota (3) goals
Halftime 18 - 10 to Mt Albert Lions
Hibiscus Coast Raiders 26 C. Shears,J. Vaifale, M. Heke, T.Nikora, C. TeKiri tries M. Ashe goal
Waicoa Bay Stallions 16 J. Anuru, T. Mathews, J. David tries T. Mathews (2) goals
Halftime 12 All
Sunday 15 August:
Nth Harbour Tigers 36 T. Berry (2), T. Samoa, N. Roberts, D. Vasau, K. Johnson tries J. Trott (4)goals
Glenora Bears 18 A. Iole, K. Alifogio (2), H. Guttenbeil tries B. Stewart goal
Halftime 14 - 10 to North Harbour Tigers
International Tests
NZ Junior Kiwis 22 M. Filipo, J. Davis (3), I. Soliola tries J. Te Reo goal
England Academy 12 L. Smith, J. Golden tries L. Smith (2) goals
Halftime 14 - 6 to NZ Junior Kiwis
Kiwi Ferns (Ladies) 28
Australia 12
Halftime; N/A