The Fox Memorial Shield competition began after a 3-week grading competition. Due to covid disrupted seasons the Auckland Rugby League decided that “2023 will work as a bridge between the 2022 shortened season and by 2025 will see a return to a more exclusive Fox Memorial Premiership competition”. The 3 year plan is for the top 4 teams in the 2023 Sharman Cup to qualify for the qualifying competition in 2024 with 4 pools once more, with the 2025 season seeing only 8 teams in the Fox Memorial premiership, down from the 12 teams that there will be in 2023 and 2024.[1] The women's competition features just the one grade with seven teams in it, down from two grades in 2022 with 13 total teams. The Pt Chevalier and Ponsonby clubs have fielded a combined side named "City" and they will play matches at Victoria Park. The Mt Albert club is fielding a team for the first time in a few seasons, named the "Lionesses". Both the men's and women's competitions will feature a match each Wednesday night at North Harbour Stadium which will be screened live on Sky TV.
Fox Memorial Competition
The men's premiership competition started on April 15 with a 3-round grading competition. There were 16 teams competing divided into 4 pools based on their seeding from their finishing positions at the end of the 2021 regular season (with the playoffs cancelled due to covid lockdowns).[2] The Fox Memorial premiership competition began on May 3 with a Wednesday night game between Pt Chevalier and Glenora.
Fox Memorial Qualifying
The 4 pools for qualifying were as follows with seedings in brackets based off the 2021 finishing positions:[3]
Try: Samuel Toofohe 2, Riccardo Taunga Arama, Toporo Purotu, Patrick Hufanga, Theodore Maui, Sisi Toutai Con: Samuel Nati 6
Referee: Hayden Price, Tevita Pauuvale (TJ)
Round 2
Freedom Vahaakolo scored his first points for Pt Chevalier in their 24–12 win over Manukau at Moyle Park. The match saw an even first half with the teams level at the break 6-6 before Pt Chevalier opened up an 18–6 lead and held on. The Māngere East - Pakuranga match was the live streamed match of the round and saw the home team, Māngere, winning 30–10. It was a tight first half with just 2 tries scored before it opened up in the second with Māngere scoring 5 tries and Pakuranga 2, including 1 to Counties-Manukau U20 representative Stanley Hingano.[6]
Try: Stanley Vaea Hingano (50m), Felise Tau (72m) Con: Sione Tuimoala (73m)
Referee: Aaronk Kesha, Rebecca Ellison (TJ), James Priest (TJ)
Round 3
Pt Chevalier trounced Māngere East 90-4 at Walker Park, though both teams had already progressed to the Fox Memorial competition. At Ti Rakau Park, Manukau won easily 50-16 with Omni Mesake scoring 4 tries for the winners.
The match between Bay Roskill and Richmond at Blockhouse Bay Reserve was filmed by Petes Filming. The home side, Bay Roskill won 30-28 holding off a late Richmond comeback.[11]
Bay Roskill continued their good early season form, beating Mt Albert 32–16 with former Warrior Ben Henry, who had now been playing for Bay Roskill for several seasons scoring one of their 6 tries. Josh Tanielu kicked 4 goals to add to his 2 tries. Richmond beat Hibiscus Coast 24–18 in a tight match at Grey Lynn Park with Connor Hohepa converting all 4 of their tries. For Hibiscus Coast former St Helens player, Nathan Ashe scored one of their 3 tries.
22 April
Bay Roskill
32-16
Mt Albert
Blockhouse Bay Reserve 4
2:30
Try: Zion Tanielu 2 (7m, 53m), Ben Henry (25m), Jarvis Leaoseve (29m), Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo (49m), Nixon Leaso (74m) Con: Josh Tanielu 4 (27m, 30m, 50m, 76m)
Richmond thrashed Mt Albert at Fowlds Park 46-0 to comfortably secure their place in the Fox competition after jumping out to a 26-0 lead in as many minutes. If Hibiscus Coast had been able to defeat Bay Roskill then Mt Albert would have found themselves competing for the Sharman Cup but Bay Roskill over turned a 6-10 half time deficit to win 32-16 to record their third straight win and confine Hibiscus Coast to the Sharman Cup competition for 2023.
Referee: Anthony Eliott, Corey Jull (TJ), Chris Eagle (TJ)
Round 2
In Glenora's 34–12 win over Northcote at the Birkenhead War Memorial, Kadiyae Ioka scored a double and kicked 3 goals, while for Northcote Kevin Locke converted Northcote's 2 tries. In Marist's 2 point win over Papakura, Emmanuel Cerei crucially had his kicking boots on, converting all 4 of Marist's tries.
Referee: Daniel Caddy, Paul Lorigan (TJ), Chris Eagle (TJ)
Round 3
Marist went out to a 24-6 halftime lead over Glenora before the match evened up in the second half, while Northcote took an early 4-0 lead but were ultimately over powered by Papakura who went ahead 28-16 before Albert Talakai scored a consolation try for the visitors.
29 April
Glenora
20-31
Marist
Harold Moody Park 1
2:30
Try: John Vake (4m), Jordan Tuarae (60m), Keanu Devlin (64m), Chaz Brown (64m) Con: Kadiyae Ioka 2 (5m, 61m)
Howick v Te Atatū at Paparoa Park.Ōtāhuhu were fielding a similar team to the previous season and beat Ōtara relatively comfortably 34–16 with William Stowers converting 5 of their 6 tries. Former Widnes Vikings player and son of James Leuluai, Macgraff Leuluai was playing for Ōtara once more. Howick led from the start against Te Atatū who hung around, playing into a strong easterly wind to only trail 20–10 at halftime before the teams traded tries through the second half. Former Parramatta Eels, New Zealand Warriors, and London Broncos player Api Pewhairangi was playing for Te Atatū for the 3rd consecutive season and he scored a try and kicked 3 goals. Brooklyn Harris was on debut for Howick and looked sharp throughout, scoring a try in a man of the match performance.[24]
Referee: Paki Parkinson, James Priest (TJ), Karl Vasau (TJ)
Round 2
Jamel Hunt and Connor Taurua-Purcell of Ōtāhuhu.Te Atatū jumped out to a 16–4 lead against Ōtāhuhu before letting in 3 tries before halftime with repeat sets and disputed refereeing calls. The teams traded tries in the second half with Te Atatū having chances to level when the score was 32-28 after crafty young hooker Khalan Clyde crossed twice from dummy half. An Ōtāhuhu break from their own half led to a 76th minute try to seal their 38–28 win. At Ngati Ōtara Park the home side started strongly, scoring 3 tries and taking a 16–6 lead into halftime before rolling on to a 28–10 win. Ben Plummer reporting in the Times Online reported "fifteen minutes in, and with momentum now very much in the home side’s favour, the Scorps didn’t waste their opportunity to post first points, going up 6-0. Otara’s ... remained disciplined in defence, ran hard and maintained a high completion rate for such wet conditions. This saw them get a roll on, stacking on two further tries before the Hornets would eventually cross late in the half through reserve Nukurua Ngere. With the score at 16-6, Howick gave away a penalty on the hooter, which in turn resulted in a sin bin... The penalty goal was subsequently kicked by Otara, leading into the sheds at half time with an 18-6 scoreline... Once again though, Otara weathered the storm with their united defensive line and swung the momentum back in their favor just as Howick were returned to the full complement of 13 players. The Scorps didn’t look back from here and they would go on to extend their lead, scoring two further converted tries, taking the score to 28-6".
Te Atatū v Ōtara at Jack Colvin Park.With Ōtāhuhu the only team certain to have already secured qualification going into round 3 for the Fox, both games had a lot riding on them. Te Atatū needed a 10-point win over Ōtara to guarantee a place but after securing a 26-4 halftime lead they were able to control their fate going on to win 48–4. Fine Vakautakakala was outstanding for Te Atatū, scoring 2 tries and carrying strongly throughout the game, while Paterika Vaivai made his season debut for Te Atatū after previously being unavailable due to his playing for the New Zealand Warriors New South Wales Cup side in previous weekends. The Ōtara outside backs looked threatening on attack but struggled to secure much ball. The match was live streamed with Petes Filming.[29] Despite losing at home, Howick were able to move through due to Ōtara's heavy loss.
There were several matches with no named scorer of particular tries and goals, and the Mt Albert v Hibiscus Coast match had no scorers submitted whatsoever so this table is indicative only, though these particular scorers records are near complete.
Te Atatū v Richmond: (Clockwise) Soakai Taufa being tackled, Jeremiah Poutu fielding a kick, Benjamin Kosi passing out of dummy half, and Api Pewhairangi losing the ball in an effort to score.Pt Chevalier and Glenora played in the first televised Wednesday night match on 3 May at North Harbour Stadium. Pt Chevalier won in wet conditions by 26 points to 12 to take home the Stormont Shield (competed for by the two finalists from the previous year) once again. Patrick Sipley crashed over for their first try after 15 minutes before Tane Rapira added a second 4 minutes later. They added 3 more in the second half including a 50 metre effort from Freedom Vahaakolo and a 100 metre run from Ollie Tuimavave. Kevin Locke transferred from Northcote during the week and debuted for Glenora, scoring a try and kicking 2 goals. Like the Wednesday night game the first round Saturday matches were played in wet conditions across Auckland. Manukau overturned a 18-0 deficit at Blockhouse Bay Reserve to triumph 24-22 over Bay Roskill with 4 second half tries. Ōtāhuhu had a comfortable 6 try to 1 win over Mt Albert at Bert Henham Park. Ioritana Leifa scored a double and Antonio Adams had kicking duty, converting 4 tries. Te Atatū lost to Richmond in an error riddled performance with Richmond scoring two tries immediately after half time to Carlos Henry and Connor Hohepa, enabling them to stretch out to a comfortable lead which they held. Hohepa also kicked 4 form 4. Papakura continued their excellent early season form, moving out to a 26-16 lead before Marist scored a consolation try to Doux Kauhiva at Prince Edward Park. Howick had a comfortable 46-4 win over Māngere East at Paparoa Park with a short piece written about the Howick clubs fortunes in the Times Online by Ben Plummer. Lonnie Papani and Rahs Tuivai-Lopa both scored a double for the winners with Reuben Tolovae converting 7 of their 8 tries.[33]
3 May
Point Chevalier
26-12
Glenora
North Harbour Stadium 1
6:10
Try: Patrick Sipley (15m), Tane Rapira (19m), Dylan Tavita (44m), Freedom Vahaakolo (57m), Ollie Tuimavave (62m) Con: Francis Leger (3/5) (16m, 20m, 45m)
Referee: Paki Parkinson, Karl Vasau (TJ), Corey Jull (TJ)
Round 2
Action from the Te Atatū Roosters v Manukau Magpies match. In the televised match Richmond recorded a second consecutive 20-0 shut out, this time of Ōtāhuhu, with Soakai Taufa securing a double in the wet conditions. Marist shared the try scoring around with 7 different try scorers, with Emmanuel Cerei converting 6 of them. Māngere East had opened the scoring in the third minute but were dominated after that and could only manage a late first half try and consolation try near the end of the match. Papakura at Prince Edward Park pushed Pt Chevalier, who have won 36 consecutive first grade matches all the way, and in fact took the lead midway through the second half before a Presley Seumanu try levelled the scores at 20-20. Francis Leger's conversion gave the Pirates a lead they would not relinquish. At Jack Colvin Park a Roosters side with several injuries and lineup changes, scored a gutsy 12-6 win over Manukau. Roosters winger Paorostarr Manning scored first after some slick handling enabled him to dive over in the scoreboard corner, before Dawson Mele replied for the visitors after some nice hole running to make it 4-4 at the break. A 58th minute penalty to Karekake Holamotu put the Magpies up 6-4, but Manning scored his second try in the corner after some nice build up play to put Te Atatū back in front. Then with 8 minutes to go hooker Khalan Clyde dived over from dummy half to all but secure the win. Bay Roskill scored a very rare victory over Glenora, holding on to win 32-30 with Justus Leaoseve scoring a hat trick for the winners. The Vikings led from the 6th minute and were up 32-18 with ten minute to go before Glenora scored two late tries. Kevin Locke kicked 5 from 5 for the Bears.
In the televised Wednesday night match Bay Roskill opened the scoring in the 4th minute and had much of the ball and territory but Mt Albert replied with three converted tries between the 14th and 26th minutes to take an 18-4 lead. Bay Roskill scored on the stroke of halftime and twice more early in the second half to Ariki Honetana-Paea. Mackenzie Kata was then sent off for Bay Roskill after headbutting Trent Schaumkel midway through the second half with winger Josh Colavanua scoring twice soon after for Mt Albert to push the game beyond doubt. The Saturday matches were marked by atrocious weather with 50 knot Westerly winds and driving rain throughout Auckland. At Walter Massey Park the home side, Māngere East struggled early and despite playing with the wind found themselves down 16-0 in as many minutes after Fine Vakautakakala, Delaney Chaney-Puata, and Jacob Rutherford scored for the Roosters and Api Pewhairangi converted two of them in his return. Māngere then began tackling and running with more gusto and scored twice, the second a brilliant try to Christian Sifakula who charged down a kick and ran 30 metres to slide over, with Samuel Lulia converting from out wide to make it 16-12 at the break. Te Atatū used the conditions to play the game in Māngere's half and gradually wore them down, scoring 4 tries including a brilliant effort from Chaney-Puata who chased an angled grubber kick and collected it as he dived full length into the in goal, and on full time live wire hooker Khalan Clyde cut through from halfway and put Robin Herbert in under the posts. At Ōtāhuhu it was not a day for the home teams goal kicker, with 7 unconverted tries including doubles to Tonga Mikaele and Fiohiva Fainga'a. It didn't matter however with Marist only managing 2 converted tries. Richmond ground out a 12-6 win at Grey Lynn Park with Siave Togoiu's 59th minute try proving the difference. At Walker Park, Pt Chevalier held on to the Roope Rooster trophy and extended their unbeaten stretch in first grade games. Lorenzo Filimaua scored a simple try in the 18th minute after Ollie Tuimavave spun out of a tackle and threw a basketball style pass to him. Howick scored in the 27th minute to returning NZ Warriors NSW Cup player Tahi Baggaley. Pt Chevalier then scored 2 unconverted tries before Howick pulled it back to 16-12 in the 62nd minute but the Pirates iced the game 8 minutes later with a try to Brody Tamarua. At Moyle Park, Glenora won in the dying stages with a 77th minute try to Kadiyae Ioka after the score had been locked at 10-10 from the 50 minute mark.
Referee: Daniel Caddy, Warren Clarke (TJ), Paul Lorrigan (TJ)
Round 4
Chaz Brown launches for the try line but ultimately lost the ball in the tackle.Papakura on attack.On Wednesday night Manukau and Māngere East fought out a scrappy match with Manukau ultimately showing their class by winning 32-8 with a 6 try to 2 performance. In the match of the round Pt Chevalier took on Ōtāhuhu at Bert Henham Park and were able to continue their remarkable winning streak with a 14-6 victory. Dylan Tavita and Matthew Whyte scored for the winners, while Makaia Tafua scored Ōtāhuhu's only try late in the match. Richmond once again proved far too strong for Mt Albert with Jeremiah Poutu scoring a double and Connor Hohepa converting all of their six tries. Nestley Daniels scored twice for Marist in their home win over Bay Roskill by 24 to 12. Bay Roskill crossed for 3 unconverted tries, 2 to Josh Tanielu. In a tight battle at Harold Moody Park, it took 22 minutes for the first try to be registered with Heemi Davis crossing in the right corner. Glenora had come close to scoring on several other occasions but the try sparked the Papakura attack to life and they scored twice before halftime to take a 10-4 lead into the break. A converted try to Edwin Amituanai early in the second half leveled things up at 10-10 before the ever lively Joseph Price pounced on an error by Kevin Locke in the in goal after Reece Joyce had placed a perfectly weighted kick into the in goal to put the Sea Eagles back up by six following William Pompey's conversion. Papakura had a player sin-binned for a play the ball tangle and Glenora scored in the following set with a try by Israel Levi in the 62nd minute. The conversion from out-wide missed and the game moved up and down the field several times over the final quarter but Papakura hung on for the 2 point win. At Paparoa Park the local side overcame Te Atatū 25 points to 12. The Roosters led 12-6 at the break with 2 converted tries to 1 before the Hornets came home strong.
24 May
Manukau
32-8
Māngere East
North Harbour Stadium 1
8:10
Try: Toporo Purotu (11m), Koronato John (21m), Mcgyver Liu Chan (40m), Raven Togiafofoa (40m), Samuel Nati (45m), Tolu Pitone-Iese (73m) Con: Samuel Nati (4/6) (13m, 40m, 46m, 74m)
Referee: Anthony Eliott, Rebecca Ellison (TJ), James Priest (TJ)
Round 5
Hikoirangi Paki of Te Atatū making a tackle In the Wednesday night match Papakura scored an upset with a well deserved 25-16 win over Howick. The match was live on Sky Sports and streamed on Youtube.[60] Lewis Soosemea scored a double as they pulled out to a 25-12 lead which they held on to. Te Atatū Roosters had another gutsy win over the much larger Ōtāhuhu Leopards at Jack Colvin Park. Paterika Vaivai was making his second appearance for Te Atatū for the season, making a comeback from injury for the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup side who he had played 7 matches for thus far. Geronimo Doyle who had also been playing for the NSW Cup side was at fullback for Ōtāhuhu. For Te Atatū, Hikoirangi Paki scored a double including a spectacular leap to take a Kahil Johnson bomb early in the match. Robin Herbert scored an unusual try with the Roosters hooking a tight head on a halfway scrum with Herbert able to scoot away and score untouched. Herbert scoring in the corner after a scrum win against the feed caught the Leopards out.The Roosters sealed the match late with prop Fine Taukautakala bursting through a hole on halfway and he used a combination of pace, footwork and strength to make it to the try line. Fiohiva Fainga'a scored a double for the visitors, including a spectacular burst down the right hand sideline leaving would be tacklers in his wake. It was more impressive given he had gone down with an ankle injury minutes earlier. The Leopards will lament a couple of blown tries late, especially Sione Feao who went over the dead ball line in an effort to score closer to the posts. At Murray Halberg Park the Marist Saints scored 5 tries as did the Glenora Bears but the difference was the boot of Emmanuel Cerei who converted all 5 of Marist's tries. Doux Kauhiva crossed twice for the Saints. Glenora had opened the scoring early with a try to the experienced Phillip Kingi. In a battle for the Carol Redman Cup, Richmond continued on their winning ways, avenging a grading round loss to the same opponents, with a 40-26 win. Jeremiah Poutu scored in each half and Beau Cordtz converted 6 of their 7 tries. For Bay Roskill the game was over midway through the second half when Richmond blew the score out to 34-12 but they came home strongly with tries to Nixon Leaso, Joel Leaoseve, and then Zion Tanielu close to full time. Pt Chevalier trailed early to Manukau but then blew them off the field with 9 tries to 9 different players. They were missing the services of regular kicker Fancis Ledger and only converted 4 of their 9 tries. With the win Pt Chevalier joined Richmond as the two only unbeaten sides with 5 from 5 and a clear 4 point lead over their nearest rivals.
7 June
Papakura
25-16
Howick
North Harbour Stadium 1
6:10
Try: Lewis Soosemea 2, Christian Jordan Tupou, Viliame Lolohea Con: William (Tuhi) Pompey (4/4) Drop: Reece Joyce
Referee: Danny Caddy, Nigel Williams (TJ), Leigh Fletcher (TJ)
Round 6
Kevin Locke shaping to kick for Glenora with Chaz Brown and Anthony Goulton outside him. Left to right in the defense are Api Pewhairangi, Semisini Lopeti, and Paterika Vaivai.Ihaka Taka-Brown taking the ball into Siuatonga Likiliki. Glenora veterans Phillip Kingi and Zac Tippins are covering from the left.In the televised match on Wednesday night from North Harbour Stadium the Richmond (5-0) and Manukau (2-3) sides played out a tight 22-20 match.[66] The Magpies started strongly and led 12-0 after 20 minutes with a try to Riccardo Taunga Arama in the 9th minute and then ten minutes later Samuel Nati scored a clever individual try, grubbering through the line for himself. Richmond struck back just before halftime with a try in the left corner to Jeremiah Poutu after a flick offload from Carlos Henry. Early in the second half Nicholas Halalilo, who was returning from the New Zealand Warriors NSW Cup team, where he had played 9 matches, scored to put the Bulldogs ahead. Immediately after Ropati Tupa'i scored a clever try from a last tackle chip. Manukau replied with two tries on the right edge to regain the lead with Samuel Nati orchestrating their attack. Crucially he was unable to convert either of the tries. In the 75th minute Richmond converted a sustained attack into a try to Isaiah Sofa and Beau Cordtz's calm conversion gave them the win. The match between Te Atatū and Glenora for the Dennis Williams Cup saw the visiting Glenora side retain the trophy with a close 16-12 win. They controlled the first half and scored twice, to former Rooster, Anthony Goulton, and Kevin Locke, with Locke converting both. The second half saw Te Atatū score immediately after the break from a spilled bomb, with Semisini Lopeti getting over. The Roosters spent a huge amount of time in the Bears half but were unable to score with last tackle plays falling flat several times. Then against the run of play the Bears scored in the 69th minute after securing the ball from a contested bomb on the Te Atatū 20 metre line, and from the ensuing movement Siuatonga Likiliki slid over in the right corner. Paterika Vaivai carrying the ball into the Glenora defense with Zac Tippins looming. In the 76th minute Robin Herbert broke through on halfway and kicked ahead, and keeping the ball on the toe scored a brilliant individual try to the right of the posts to give the Roosters a chance but they were unable to create anything with the full time whistle going shortly after. Ōtāhuhu crashed to their third straight defeat, going down at home to Howick who got their noses in front in the second half after the Leopards led 6-4 at halftime. Jacob Paulo received his blazer for making his 50th first grade appearance for the Leopards. Papakura controlled the match at Prince Edward Park and raced out to a 28-4 lead after 27 minutes before the Vikings worked their way back into the game but never really threatened to win. For Papakura, Stedman Lefau scored a double and William (Tuhi) Pompey kicked 5 goals. At Fowlds Park in Mt Albert the visiting Marist Saints dominated the first half and took a 26-6 lead into halftime. Takaia Williams scored twice for the Saints, with Emmanuel Cerei kicking 4 goals to move to 97 points for the season. At Walker Park the Pt Chevalier Pirates made short work of Māngere East, winning 80-6 to move top of the table on point percentage.
14 June
Manukau
20-22
Richmond
North Harbour Stadium 1
6:10
Try: Riccardo Taunga Arama (9m), Samuel Nati (19m), Tuma Timoti 2 (59m, 67m) Con: Samuel Nati (2/4) (10m, 20m)
The lists are calculated from the 3 qualifying games and the Fox Memorial premiership matches which followed. Some of the Papakura, Mt Albert, Howick, Māngere East, Ōtāhuhu, and Manukau scorers have not been included as they have not submitted their scoring to the Auckland Rugby League website for all matches.
The women's competition has reduced significantly in numbers from 2022 where 13 teams competed. In 2023 just seven teams entered sides. The City team is a combined side from Pt Chevalier Pirates and Ponsonby Ponies.
In the opening round of the Premier Women's competition which was played at Cornwall Park the Ōtara Scorpions put the competition on notice with a 80-6 thrashing of the reigning champions Manurewa Kowhai. Annessa Biddle and Wati Deleilomaloma both crossed for hat tricks while Linade McKinley-Sadaraka kicked 11 conversions to go with her 2 tries. The newly formed City side went down 10-38 to Howick with the East Auckland side scoring 8 tries, with a double to Tafito Lafaele, a 2022 Black Ferns representative. Former New Zealand Warriors women's representative Lisa Edwards also crossed the line. Mele Hufanga converted 1 of City's 2 tries. The reformed Mt Albert women's team, the Mt Albert Lionesses had a 32-22 win over Ōtāhuhu. The Lionesses had 7 different try scorers. For Ōtāhuhu their New Zealand representative Onjeurlina Leiataua scored all 4 of their tries.
Howick 'Nets' scored a dominant 50-0 win over Taniwharau with Zayde Sarah-Baldwin and Saphire Abraham both crossing the line twice. In the words of Times Online writer, Ben Plummer, "the women have well and truly taken chanrge of their competition after their first two games, winning both in convincing fashion".[33]
In the Wednesday night televised match it was a seesawing battle between City and Manurewa Kowhai. Both teams initially struggled to crack their opponents defence with it moving from end to end but with no points until Mary Jane Finau crashed over under the posts in the 31st minute for City. Manurewa replied soon after to Nancy Sikei, before City regained the lead on the break with a try to Mikayla Eli. City started the second half strongly scoring twice to lead 18-10. Manurewa replied with two tries of their own including a brilliant effort from a regathered kick, with Crystal Stowers crashing over in a tackle. The conversion by Eli gave Manurewa a 20-18 lead. It only lasted three minutes before Tauhalaliku scored after some nice lead up play with the try proving to be the difference, the match ending 22-20. In horrible conditions on Saturday the visiting Ōtara side had the match under control by halftime, scoring 5 tries and taking a 26-0 lead into the break. Jhana Magele added another try late in the match with Shaniah Lui scoring Ōtāhuhu's only try in the 55th minute.
17 May
City Women
22-20
Manurewa Kowhai
North Harbour Stadium 1
8:10
Try: Nancy Sikei (36m), Lavinia Tauhalaliku 2 (45m, 76m), Vanessa Molia-Fraser (48m), Mia Holo (53m) Con: J. Naime-Purcell (1/4) (37m), B Fortes (0/1)
In the Wednesday televised match Ōtara prevailed in a seesawing match with the lead changing hands a few times before the Scorpions won on fulltime after recovering a kick and Jhana Magele crossed in the left corner. Black Fern, Tafito Lafaele scored one of Howick's 3 unconverted tries. In Huntly at Davies Park the local Taniwharau side showed an improved performance with Nadia Flavell scoring 3 tries. However New Zealand international Onjeurlina Leiataua scored 2 of Ōtāhuhu's 6 tries in their 28-16 win. At Fowld's Park, Mt Albert held a 24-10 lead before City stormed home, scoring tries to Marewa Samson, Alayna Kamuhemu, and Paris Pickering to steal the win, with Paulina Morris-Ponga converting 2 of them.
Taniwharau on attack against City at Victoria Park. In the Wednesday night game the Howick side had to win it with a late try to Cilia-Marie Po'e-Tofaeono after Manurewa had levelled the scores with a try to Ngatokotoru Arakua in the 68th minute. Ōtara had a narrow win over the Lionesses at Fowlds Park to continue their unbeaten run. Both sides crossed for 3 tries with the only conversion of the match by Jhana Magele proving the difference. In the Sunday game at Victoria Park the City side had an easy 60-8 win over Taniwharau. Paulina Morris-Ponga converted 5 of their tries and crossed for a try herself in a 14 point haul, while Sarah Filimoeatu scored a hat trick and Paris Pickering a double. For Taniwharau, Leah-Rhys Toka and Jamie Haumaha scored second half tries to add a small amount of respectability to the score.
In the televised Wednesday night match up between Mt Albert and Ōtāhuhu the Lionesses won 36-4.[105] Ōtāhuhu scored first to Kaiyah Atai crashing over but Mt Albert dominated from this point on. By half time they led 18-4 with 53% possession, and a 69% completion rate compared to the Leopards 50%.
The Sharman Cup features 10 teams. The top 4 at the end of the season will qualify for the 16 team grading competition at the start of 2024 with the top 12 qualifying for the 2024 Fox Memorial Premiership.
Try: Valentino Yandall (27m), Seli Kata (69m) Con: Charles Gabriel 2 (28m, 70m)
Referee: Hayden Price
20 May
Hibiscus Coast
54-22
Ellerslie
Stanmore Bay 1
2:30
Try:Nathan Ashe, Boston Josephs, Dallas White 3, Kavana Te Kiri-Ryan 2, Mike Williams, Levi Craig, Samuel Waterworth, Liam Ackland Con: Regan McClennan 4, Liam Ackland
Former NRL referee Henry Perenara returned to his junior club, New Lynn Stags for their match with Northcote. He had retired from refereeing in 2021 after being diagnosed with a heart condition but had recovered enough to return to the field.
10 June
Ponsonby
68-12
Ellerslie
Victoria Park 1
2:30
Try: Duken Williams 4 (2m, 18m, 35m, 49m), Samuela Fanguna (5m), Heitony Talagi 3 (8m, 45m, 69m), James Taumata (22m), Timor Reese Williams 3 (25m, 32m, 66m), Kyal Brown (29m), Dion Fraser (59m) Con: Dion Fraser 6 (3m, 6m, 19m, 23m, 30m, 46m)
Try: David Liava'a (10m), Liam Ackland (18m), Nukutawhiti Davison 2 (32m, 36m), Joshua Hale (39m), Samuel Waterworth (57m) Con: Taylor Raj (18m), Joshua Hale (40m)
Try: Shane Edward Heller Paitai 2 (23m, 80m), Amerika Uila (52m), Sam Neufeldt (62m)
Referee: Sonny Whakarau
Round 6
The Northcote - Ponsonby match at the Birkenhead War Memorial ground was live streamed. Northcote won the match 36-22 with 7 tries to 7 different players, and 4 goals kicked by Taine Neho. They trailed 6-10 at halftime before a strong second half.[135]
17 June
Northcote
36-22
Ponsonby
Birkenhead War Memorial 4
2:30
Try: William Eriwata (30m), Hikule'o Malu (43m), Huston Holloway (49m), Rhys Brown (58m), Taine Neho (59m), Albert Talakai (62m), Tawhiri Heremaia (68m) Con: Taine Neho 3 (31m, 59m, 69m) Pen: Taine Neho (59m)
Try: James Schmidt (9m), Jahsiah Keil (13m), Shane Williams (20m), Charles Gabriel (24m), Dominique Hakeagaiki (24m), Filivai Molia-Fraser (36m) Con: Charles Gabriel 4 (9m, 14m, 20m, 37m)
17 June
Manurewa
12-22
Papatoetoe
Mountfort Park: Jack Shelly Field
2:30
Try: Sam Neufeldt (32m), Elvis Noble (41m), Genesis Mosogau (55m)
