NZ Bartercard Cup - Round 6 review
and results

Round 6 of New Zealand's Bartercard Cup has sprung a few surprises with the Jetz following back to back losses, coming out and delivering the most consistent team in the competition, the Eastern Tornadoes, a thumping. The leaderboard has also changed with the Wa-Coa-Bay Stallions suffering their first ever loss at the hands of Wellington, and Marist Richmond Brothers taking the top of the table position with their win over Otahuhu Ellerslie.

BARTERCARD CUP - ROUND 6 RESULTS:

Saturday 29 May 2004

Last year's champions the Canterbury Bulls have stormed into second position on the table following a very impressive second half against the bottom of the ladder, the Central Falcons, in Palmerston North.

In blustery conditions, the home side managed to keep the visitors at bay for the first hour, holding the lead by 24-16. Boosted with players returning from the Victory Cup tournament in Russia, the Falcons at times dominated possession.

Twenty minutes left in the game and the Bulls rampaged home scoring 4 converted tries to take the match comfortably in the end.

The Bulls now face Glenora at home on Saturday night while the Falcons travel down to Wellington to play the home side on Sunday.

Central Falcons vs Canterbury Bulls Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North

Canterbury Bulls 40 Tries: J. McDonald, A. Harris, B. Taylor, C. Lawrie, C. Newton, S. Wallace (2) Goals: M. Clarkson (6) defeated Central Falcons 24 Tries: G. Kerrisk, L. Erihe, R. Hurunui, N. Ngaru (2) Goals: L. Erihe (2)

Halftime Score: 14 - 12 To Central Falcons

Marist Richmond Brothers now find themselves alone at the top of the competition ladder after a solid win over Otahuhu Ellerslie. Murray Halberg Park is turning into a bit of a horror place for visiting teams as once as again the Marist side perform well at home.

A flurry of points in the first half had the home side out to an impressive 22-6 at the break with Otahuhu Ellerslie clawing their way to a bit of respectability in the final 40 minutes to go down by 32-16.

Marist Richmond Brothers travel on to Papakura on Friday night to taked on a revamped Counties Manakau Jetz side while Otahuhu Ellerslie hope to recover after their loss and face the wounded Stallions at home on Sunday afternoon.

Marist Richmond Brothers vs Otahuhu Ellerslie Murray Halberg Park, Auckland

Marist Richmond Brothers 32 Tries: M. Taulapapa, G. Rota, B. Perenara, K. Guttenbeil, E. Leavai (2) Goals: G. Rota (4) defeated Otahuhu Ellerslie 16 Tries: D. Fisiiahi, G. Ruka, M. Langdon Goals: C. Wetini (2)

Halftime Score: 22 - 6 To Marist Richmond

Wai-Coa-bay Stallions under the guidance of Tawera Nikau and Len Reid have finally suffered their first loss as the Wellington side knocked them off the perch on Saturday afternoon.

The signs have been there over the last two weeks that at times the Stallions are vunerable in their defence. Wellington exploited this and with a healthy lead at the break, went on to win comfortably. A great confidence boost for the young side after their huge defeat at the hands of the Canterbury Bulls just a week earlier.

The Stallions head up to Auckland next Sunday to take on Otahuhu Ellerslie at home while Wellington have bottom of the table Central Falcons paying them a visit on Sunday afternoon as well.

Waicoa Bay Stallions vs Wellington Davies Park, Huntly

Wellington 32 Tries:T. Ioane, M. Mason, C. Fox, C. Savalii, S. Mannering, V. Manu (2) Goals: M. Nathan (2) defeated Waicoa Bay Stallions 14 Tries: D. Campbell-Benson, V. Moana-Mason (2) Goals: T. Matthews

Halftime Score: 22 - 4 To Wellington

Sunday 30 May 2004

Glenora Bears had put in some fine performance over the last three weeks giving some of the top sides a run for their money. Unfortunately for them the Mt Albert Lions managed to hand them a defeat.

With the kicking boots of the Bears sorely missing, former Bears player, Steve Buckingham made them pay as he kicked 5 goals for his side's victory.

The Mt Albert side are now 2nd equal on the table and will face the North Harbour Tigers on Sunday, this being the curtain raiser for the Warriors/Raiders match at Ericsson.

Glenora Bears have a real hard assignment ahead of them as they head down to Christchurch to face the Bulls on Saturday night, always a tough ask for visiting teams.

Glenora Bears vs Mt Albert Lions Harold Moody Recreation Ground, Auckland

Mt Albert Lions 30 Tries: A. Swann, J. Noble, D. Davis, G. Malietoa-Brown, C. Tuimavave Goals: S. Buckingham (5) defeated Glenora Bears 12 Tries: T. Toailoa, L. Tamatoa, A. Iole

Halftime Score : 12 - 4 To Mt Albert Lions

The North Harbour Tigers now have the Ted Dalton Memorial trophy back in their cabinet after defeating the Hibiscus Coast Raiders on Sunday afternoon at Albany. Once again the kicking game of the Tigers was non existent allowing the Raiders a small glimmer of hope.

With Daniel Floyd coming back from injury for the Raiders, their attack was more open but in the end the Tigers were just too good on the day. They bump up to 3rd equal on the table, with the Raiders a definite 2nd to last.

The Tigers now face the Mt Albert side at Ericsson on Sunday while the Raiders are at home at Stanmore Bay to take on the Eastern Tornadoes.

North Harbour Tigers vs Hibiscus Coast Raiders North Harbour Stadium, Auckland

North Harbour Tigers 20 Tries: T. Berry, D. Vasau, J. Golt, S. Torbet (2) defeated Hibiscus Coast Raiders 12 Tries: D. Floyd, O.Manuel Goals: D. Floyd (2) Halftime Score : 12 - 6 To North Harbour Tigers

In a surprising result, the Eastern Tornadoes were beaten resoundly by a fired up Counties Manakau Jetz side on Sunday afternoon.

The Jetz had started the competition well only have fallen by the wayside a little over the last two weeks. To their credit they bounced back into the competition with vigour to lie in 3rd equal place, scoring 8 tries against a stunned Tornadoes side who most critics had picked to win the match quite comfortably given the form the team had shown of late.

The Tornadoes will hope to get their campaign back on track when the travel north to take on the Hibiscus Coast Raiders on Saturday afternoon while the Counties Manakau Jetz host competition leaders, Marist Richmond Brothers on Friday night at Papakura

Eastern Tornadoes vs Counties Manukau Jetz Ericsson No.2, Auckland

Counties Manukau Jetz 44 Tries: L. Finnerty, P. Tafea, M. Suniula, G. Eliki, N. Su'e, W. Barnett, M. Tawhi (2) Goals: L. Finnerty (6) defeated Eastern Tornadoes 6 Tries: N. Ngametua Goals: H. Rangi

Halftime Score : 26 - 0 To Counties Manukau Jetz

Round 6 results:

Canterbury Bulls 40 - Central Falcons 24

Marist Richmond Brothers 32 - Otahuhu Ellerslie 16

Wellington 32 - Waicoa Bay Stallions 14

Mt Albert Lions 30 - Glenora Bears 12

North Harbour Tigers 20 - Hibiscus Coast Raiders 12

Counties Manukau Jetz 44 - Eastern Tornadoes 6

BARTERCARD CUP - ROUND 7 FIXTURES:

Friday 4 June 2004

Counties Manukau Jetz vs Marist Richmond Brothers Massey Park Papakura, Auckland 7.30pm Kick Off

Saturday 5 June 2004

Hibiscus Coast Raiders vs Eastern Tornadoes Stanmore Bay Reserve, Whangaparaoa 2.30pm Kick Off

Canterbury Bulls vs Glenora Bears Rugby League Park, Christchurch 6.00pm Kick Off

Sunday 6 June 2004

Mt Albert Lions vs North Harbour Tigers Ericsson Stadium, Auckland (Curtain Raiser To Warriors vs Canberra Raiders) 11.35am Kick Off

Wellington vs Central Falcons Hutt Recreation Ground, Wellington 2.30pm Kick Off

Otahuhu Ellerslie vs Waicoa Bay Stallions Henham Park, Auckland 2.30pm Kick Off