BULLDOGS GRAB THE CUP

A hard-fought rugby league grand final win for the Richmond Bulldogs sees them crowned 2013 SAS Sharman Cup champions and promoted to next year's Fox Memorial Shield.

The Bulldogs capped off their centennial year with an 18-14 win over the Otara Scorpions after a cliffhanger finish in front of a 1500-strong crowd at Henderson's Trusts Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams fully deserved their place in the final after a long and hard season.

The Bulldogs came into the final after a strong performance in the semifinals against the Scorpions, trouncing them 34-22.

The first try of the day came in the fifth minute courtesy of Bruce Tusa who put through Tagisia Fulutusi for the Scorpions.

Toleafoa Leaupepe went agonisingly close but the desperate Scorpions defence held out - until a rampaging Hector Purcell bulldozed over to give Richmond their first points.

Steve Watkinson converted and Richmond were up 6-4. Richmond seemed to get a second wind and with only 10 to go in the first half went over again down the left flank after quick hands had Marcus Auva'a ground the ball under pressure.

Another Watkinson conversion had Bulldogs up 12-4 at halftime.

In the second half the Bulldog's Bronson Harden was held up in goal to be denied a try.

This gave Otara their first opportunity of the half and James Tulikaki crossed to give the Scorpions their second try, making the score 12-8 after a missed conversion.

Richmond did not have to wait long for their next chance and when the Bulldogs kicked early and caught Scorpions' winger Tagisia Fulutusi out of position, the Bulldogs found themselves hard on attack. From there an early tap by Watkinson had him find his opposites napping and he managed to plant the ball to extend the lead to 18-8 after converting the try.

With three minutes remaining Scorpions' five-eight Leiloa Lafaele crossed and with a successful conversion it was 18-14 to the Bulldogs with a minute to go.

From the kickoff Otara missed the ball and it went out for a line dropout.

The Scorpions gained possession and broke away downfield but an Otara grubber failed to find its man and the ball was cleared for the Bulldogs to win 18-14.

SAS Sharman Cup Grand Final Results:

Richmond Bulldogs 18 (12) V (4) 14 Otara Scorpions.

Team named: Aaron Unasa, Arno, Nio Strickland, Cale Baker, Wiremu Takeriu, Rob Vaii, Lance Wright, Logan Wright, Josh Mana, Kennedy, Andrew Kake, Savi Hafoka, Bronson Harden. Francis Gallagher, Stan Bourke, Anthony Auvaa. Harry Vete. Coach: Henry Solomona, Jesse Bourke. Manager: Tu Lialia’i.

The Premier 1st team played New Lynn Stags at Grey Lynn Park. Prop forward Hans Leaunae and stand off Joshua Siaosi were players called up for the Premier grade team in which club journeyman Stan Bourke and team mate Anthony Auvaa stepped up from the interchange bench.

The first 40 minutes showed much experience and grit with strong carries from forwards Logan Wright, Andrew Kake and loose forward captain Bronson Harden. Rob Vaii and Lance Wright combined well organizing the outside backs and targeted the visiting Stags fringes. Full back Aaron Unasa showed great class and evasiveness to run 80 metres untouched for one of his tries. Centre Nio Strickland also showed great experience and pace to skip through some flimsy defence to score from the scrum. He later ran 60 metres to score untouched. Some sublime footwork and vision saw hooker Josh Mana carve his way through the midfield to score a doble thanks to the momentum of the Richmond forwards. Half time score was 40-10 to the mighty Richmond Bulldogs.

The second half started slow for the Richmond side. With injury (ankle) to Logan Wright some punch was taken away from the Prems Forward pack. Ill-discipline and uncharacteristic handling errors enabled the visiting opposition field position and ball possession. The stags took the opportunities when granted and scored multiple tries in the final 20 minutes of the game. Richmond composed themselves and eventually went on to win 50-28. Player of the day went to stand out performer Aaron Unasa.

After 18 games played this 2013 season the Premier 1st have won 15, loss 3 and now go to the Major semi-final against the 2013 undefeated Otara Scorpions at Ngati Otara Park. The winner of this match go straight to the 2013 Sharman Cup Premier 1st Grand Final. The team will need to train well and tweak a few things before going into this weekend game with a positive attitude. Please come on out in support of our team and club as both teams will be fighting hard to go through to the grand final. The boys would appreciate your support. BiteEMBulldogs

Good win today for the Richmond Prems 1st with a convincing 56-6 win over the Te Atatu Roosters. A great way to bounce back after last weekend's disappointing home game loss against Otara Scorpions.

There were a few injury concerns however the effort and commitment at training has improved. Missing from this weekend's line up include damaging prop forward Logan Wright, wing sensation Lee Robson, tireless backrowers Nale Bourke and Bronson Harden. Stepping up and with increased game time were powerful prop forward Fia and hardworking Kennedy who both played long minutes. Tana Fili and Francis 'Dugan' Gallagher played exceptionally well in the backs with full back Savi Hafoka memorizing the opposition from the back of the Richmond pack.

"At one point the boys defended 5 sets in row with a man in the sin-bin. The Prems 1st boys were ruthless on attack and showed great commitment to defense", says assistant coach Jess Bourke. There is still a lot to work on but the coaching team will no doubt work on this at training. With the continued effort it was an awesome way to bounce back for all members involved with the team. Next week the boys play Eats Coast Bays Barracudas and would like your on-going support. All day Doggies!

The Richmond Premiers are the talk of the competition after their excellent start to the season.

A human tunnel was formed to welcome the Richmond Premiers onto the field for the first home game of the 2013 season. A capacity crowd and the radiant sun proved to be positive indicators for the game ahead against 2012 Sharman Cup finalists, Papatoetoe Panthers.

No truer words were said than ‘Defence wins games’.

While the Rovers defensive line remained solid, the first signs of a weakening Panthers defence came nearly 20 minutes in the game with ex Vulcans player Aaron Nootai scoring on the left wing, opening what was to be a wave of tries.

The poor handling skills of the Panthers were far from their winning 2012 form, with a myriad of errors allowing the Rovers to race away to a 26-0 lead at half time through tries to Toafofoa Sipley, Junior Uale, Savi Hafoka and Aaron Nootai again.

The Rovers continued the second half with the same intensity and momentum with Siliga Kepaoa surging ahead a clear 30 metres to score between the posts converted successfully by Harry Vete. Five minutes had not lapsed before Captain Karl Simeti busted through the flailing Panthers defence to score, and Toafofoa adding a further 4 points to the board shortly after.

Guarding the line after three consecutive defensive plays, the impenetrable Richmond wall came down 65 minutes into the game after the Panthers hit back.

Harry Vete donned his golden boots to successfully slot a total of 8 conversions. Final score: 56-8 Richmond Premiers.

Richmond’s captain Karl Simeti was inspirational for the home team forcing several turnovers with his confrontational defence. Another stand-out for the match was Junior Warriors player Toafofoa Sipley who led the hitup count in attack with 13 hit ups earning him the player of the day award.

Coach Ming Mafoe was pleased with the result though is determined to see a reduction in the error rate.

Next game : Sat 13 April 2:30pm, Moyle Park. vs Manukau Magpies

GAME REPORT
Premiers game kicks off at 2.30
Richmond Premiers number 8 (Hector Purcell) opens the scoring. 6 - 0
Eagles hit straight back off the kick off with a bust up the middle from number 7. 12 - 6
Richmond (Jason Mudgway) reply with a try out of dummy half, no conversion. 12 - 10
Another try for Richmond (Tama Guthrie), conversion missed. 12 - 14
With one in the bin for Ellerlsie, Richmond (Karl Simiti) grab a try just before half time. 12 - 26
Richmond (Karl Simiti) in again right next to the post. 12 - 20 to Richmond.
Richmond (Edwin Pita) first to score in the second half. 12 - 32
Ellerslie hit back with a long range effort. 18 - 42
Richmond (Edwin Pita) reply with a try in the left corner. 18 - 46
Ellerslie touch down in the opposite corner. 24 - 46
Richmond (Harry Vete) in again. 24 - 50
Full time Ellerslie Premiers def. by Richmond Premiers 24 - 50