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

Team: Aaron Unasa, Francis Gallgher, Nio Strickland, James Finlayson, Arno, Josh Siaosi, Josh Mana, Willie Uili, Jason Mudgway, Vae Kalolo, Junior Uale, Dave Falefitu, Bronson Harden. Kennedy, Stan Bourke, Fia, Lafi Faamausili. Coach: Henry Solomona, Jesse Bourke. Manager, Tuu Lialia'i.

Richmond Premier 1st played the Manukau Magpies at Grey Lynn Park. Training this week focused on cardio fitness and line speed off the defence line. A number of Premier grade players had dropped back and with new combinations to be made the Premier grade players certainly wanted to impress to stake their claim back in to the Premier grade. Players included tireless forwards Junior Uale, Willie Uili, Vae Kalolo, Dave Falefitu, hooker Jason Mudgway and outside back speedster Nio Strickland.

With much of the week being wet the game was transferred to Grey Lynn Park field 3. To compound the field change and changes to the foward pack Richmond wanted to start with a hiss and roar to show the Premier 1st competition that Richmond will be a force in 2013. A slow start for the home team meant the half time score was only 24-6. Considering the Richmond team had a ton of experience and Manukau played with only a 12 man team the stern half time talk from coaches Henry Solomona and Jesse Bourke ensured the boys would come out fired up for a big half. 

Combinations were much better in the second half where centres James Finlayson scored four tries with his centre partner Nio Strickland scoring a hatrick (3 tries) himself. The effort started from the forward pack who lay a good platform for space out on the fringes and out in the back line. Final score was 70-16 to the mighty Richmond Rovers. Player of the Day was Aaron Unasa who chimed in well at the full back position. Special mention goes to the halves Josh Siaosi and Josh Mana for steering the team around the park with creative kick plays and depth passing games. Both players challenged the Magpies defence line and always questioned the edge plays with great combinations in Finlayson and Strickland.  

The Richmond Premier 1st will need all the support they can get next weekend as the team travel to Ngati Otara Park to take on the table topping Otara Scorpions. Kickoff is at 12.45pm 

Richmond Prems 1st had a good week of training where coaches Henry Solomona and Jesse Bourke-Jackson were fortunate with the depth at training (up to 40 players). Going in to round 8 of the Sharman Cup the Premier 1st team selected featured players making their 2013 debut for the including prop forward Tere Strickland, outside back Bam Samuela and utility forward Tomasi Moala each playing their first game. Others returning from the rotation policy includes forward utilities Leonale Bourke, Paul McCauslin and Kennedy. 

Playing at Ranui Domain against the Waitemata Sea Gulls the team started with a hiss and a roar with multiple line and tackle breaks from our tireless forward pack. From the front captain Logan Wright lead the team with strong hit ups and off loads. His combination with back rower Leonale Bourke and brother Lance Wright in half back allowed Richmond to shoot to a 32-0 half time lead. This scored could have been higher had our kicker brought his kicking boots -landing 2 from 7.

A slow opening stanza to the second half meant the Prems 1st were slow to get out of the stumbling blocks. This however did not deter the defensive effort from back rowers Josh Tui, Siti Tautiga and hooker Josh Mana who performed with intensity.

The left side ran well with half back Robbie Vai'i running the show and putting his outside backs in open space. A pin point corner kick for winger Arnold was a game highlight and thoroughly enjoyed by all. The Full time score was 52-0 which showed the Prems 1st only scored 20 points in the 2nd half. Coach Henry was happy with the result and stated "there is still a lot of work to do before the start of the second round". Last game of the round is this week; "we would love your away support as we take on the New Lynn stags" says the affamable Solomona. Player of the Day went to a young man who also scored on debut, Tere Strickland.

The Good: Everyones putting their hand up to make our 25 man squad
The Bad: Need to dominate the whole 80 minutes.
The Ugly: Logan Wright going over in the corner for a try but runs around the post to make it easier for our kicker, but stands on the dead ball line (good one captain). 

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!