Auckland
The match of the round was held at Onepoto domain which saw the North Shore Tigers take on a strong Mt Roskill Saints outfit. Both sides started the game strong and were on equal terms going into quarter time. The Tigers put themselves under pressure early with some ill discipline and area that coach Andrui Sucu will work on over coming weeks. North Shore held strong to keep themselves in front for most of the match but Mt Roskill had other ideas and were kicking with a strong breeze in the last quarter. The Saints managed to kick 3 quick goals to get themselves back in the game and was looking like a come from behind victory. The young Tigers battled on and managed to kick 2 goals into the wind thanks to some accurate kicking by full forward Tyler Rakich to seal their first win of the season.
Final Score:
North Shore Tigers: 11.10: 76
Mt Roskill Saints: 7.10: 52
In the second game at Onepoto, the Pakuranga Panthers took the field and initially competed strongly against last years runners up, the Waitakere Magpies. The Panthers went toe to toe in the first quarter but the Magpies were not going to allow a repeat of their 2014 meeting and ended up winning the game 97-14.
The University Blues have continued their great start to the season, remaining as the only unbeaten team so far with a 10.11: 71 to 1.8: 14 win over the Manurewa Raiders at Mountfort Park.
Auckland AFL ladder:
Canterbury
In an enthralling tussle between the Ashburton Eagles and the Christchurch Bulldogs, the spectators were highly entertained by some high flying marks, aerial acrobatics and forward pocket snaps.
On two occasions Richie Hazelwood for the Eagles used the kick out from Full Back to launch himself atop of his opponents and sometimes his own man for some hang time in space before coming back to earth with the ball in hand. Whilst Kyle Smith of the Bulldogs also showed his skills, jumping early but riding his back long enough for the ball to drop into his hands.
In the end, the Eagles had a solid backline with NZ Hawk Matt Crighton leading the charge and providing the linkage from the backline through the middle of the ground to secure victory for the Eagles.
Final Score:
Ashburton Eagles: 12.13: 85
Christchurch Bulldogs: 10.8: 68
Game two saw a better disciplined Eastern Blues defeat the University Cougars with quick ball from centre clearances. The Blues attacked hard all game which kept the scoreboard attendant busy for the whole match.
Final Score:
Eastern Blues: 8.15: 63
University Cougars: 6.7: 43
Wellington
Wellington kicked off their season with a Lightning Tournament held at Ascot Park in Poritua. The Wellington City Saints took the honours in 2015 followed by a young Hutt Valley Eagles captained by returning powerhouse James Kusel.
1st: Wellington City Saints
2nd: Hutt Valley Eagles
3rd: North City Demons
4th: Eastern Bulldogs
Each team saw the introduction of several new recruits for the tournament which bodes well for the upcoming season.
Feature photo: Simon Watts / Phototek.nz
