Premiers get away with bonus point win

Our Premiers have opened their 2016 campaign with a bonus point win over Paremata-Plimmerton at Evans Bay.

A large injury toll meant that the backline featured just one player who played in the Jubilee Cup for MSP last season. Given these enforced changes, and it being the first game of the season, the side looked fairly rusty for most of the match.

Pare-Plim started with gusto, jumping out to an early lead. This lead was gone by half time through the boot of Tyler Tane and a very slick try to new fullback Ryan Saunders who finished a break from No. 8 Pago Haini.

After the break for oranges the Red Machine appeared to roar into life scoring another great team try in the 42nd minute.

15 minutes later the forward pack muscled over to take a 25-8 lead. Pare-Plim was not ready to roll over and fought their way back into the game to trail by just five points with just 10 minutes to play. Another penalty to Tyler Tane followed by Saunders' second try of the match meant the home team walked away with a bonus point win but plenty to think about for next week.

Young debutante halfback Regan Sword was the pick of the backs showing much promise while Ryan Saunders looked dangerous each time he touched the ball. In the forwards, props Vince Sakaria and A'asa Sanerivi had strong matches while lock Josh To'omaga was his usual busy self.

Round two sees our side travel to Nairnville Park for a Jubilee Final rematch against OBU.


In the early match a fit, skilled looking Premier Reserve team were no match for their Pare-Plim counterparts jumping out to a 29-0 lead at half time.

Contributions were made from across the park with lock James Zino getting a double after the break.

No doubt coach Andrew Robinson will be pleased with a good first run and will look forward to a bigger challenge next week.

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