Wins over Avalon to open the season
Our Premier Men and Premier Reserves have recorded bonus point wins over Avalon to open the 2023 season.
The early game was moved over the road to Kilbirnie Park where the Premier Reserves earned a convincing 56-19 win.
In the Swindale Shield opener, Andrew Wells led the team onto the field for his 150th match. The Red Machine was quick to strike with a clean backline move sending Ben Tuiatua over for the first points of the season.
It was the only try for the backs in a game largely played in the forward pack. Charlie Hankins and Keelan Whitman scored tries to give the home side a 24-3 lead at the break.
Avalon came out of the break with determination and enjoyed long periods of territory and possesion. This was rewarded with two tries which closed the scoreline to 29-17 with about 15mins to play. A James Tuia try off the back of the scrum (adding to an earlier try he scored in the half) relieved a bit of pressure, before Keelan Whitman scored his second of the day on full time. Final result, a 41-17 bonus point victory.
The other competition game played on Saturday was the opener for the Under 85s who travelled to Stokes Valley for a close encounter. Trailing by 5-7 with minutes to play, the home side secured a late try to send our boys home with a 5-17 loss.
In grading fixtures, our Premier Women lost to Oriental-Rongotai by 19-58; the Colts lost to Petone by 22-41.
There are just two games on over Easter Weekend with our Premier Men and Premier Reserves travelling to Tawa. The following weekend will see most teams in action as we host Northern United for our Old Timers Day on 15 April.
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