The Richmond Premiers take on the 2nd place Mt Albert Lions at Fowlds Park this Saturday. Coach Ming Mafoe takes with him a very hungry to win Premier team full of experience and some of the clubs young up and coming talent. Richmond field some of the clubs finest players including: Jason Tavita, Siliga Kepaoa, Karl Simeti and last weekends late inclusion prop forward Logan Wright. Complemented by the enthusiasm of young guns Damon Niko, Petelo Faasee and Keneti Atmore. Last weekends 1 point loss to the Glenora Bears will no doubt fire up the Bulldogs this week who seek to fire up against the local rival club who boast former Richmond players Niuvao Taka, Brad Watkins, Jordan Tuarae and Daniel Palavi. Expect fireworks! 

This game promises to be full of impact, hard hits and strong hit ups from both teams. The Richmond Premiers will need all the support they can get as they are expecting a great battle upfront and will need all Bulldogs supporters in attendance as the team are desperate to put a solid performance together for a first up win in 2014! Premier 1st continue their three game winning streak and hope to make it four. Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm. Premier kick off 2.30pm.

Shout out to our loyal sponsors: LJ Hooker Ponsonby,Waterview Laundromat, Waterview Superette & Lotto,Giltrap Group, Peter Fell Concrete & Shamrock Reroofing.

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

Premier 1st vs Ellerslie Eagles
Number 6 scores Ellerslies first try. No conversion. 4 - 0
Number 2 (Lee Robson) scores for Richmond.
Successful conversion. 6 - 4 to Richmond.
Richmond fullback (Savi Hafoka) dots it down under the post for an easy conversion. 12 - 4 Richmond
Soft try for Richmond (Josh Mana). Conversion made. 18 - 4.
Another converted try (Uala Toamaka) for Richmond. 24 - 4.
Richmond score (Steve Watkinson). Unsuccessful conversion. 28 - 4.
Richmond (Savi Hafoka) in again. Conversion is successful. 34 - 4.
Richmond 7 (Josh Mana) hops around the defence for a try. Missed conversion. 38 - 4.
And Ellerslie 8 powers over. Conversion successful. 38 - 10.
Richmond 1 (Savi Hafoka) scores again. Conversion made. 44 - 10.
Richmond (Josh Tui) score again. Conversion missed. 48 - 10.
52 - 10 Richmond (Siti Tautiaga) scores just before full time. Well played Richmond. 

Game report
Premiers 1st kicked off the 2013 season against the Elleslie Eagles at Elleslie domain. With the first hit up comes a new team and hopefully a new attitude. We picked a mix team of experienced and youthful players. A special mention to Lee Robinson & Zac Tui in playing there first Senior grade games at the age of 18 years old. With very experienced halves pairding of Josh Mana at half back and Josh Siaosi at stand off they combined to lead the team around the field very well.  Props Josh Tui, Uala Toamaka & Kennedy Niovra dominating the opposition forwards with strong defence and attack the edge runners had plenty of space to run rampant. The boys went in to the break at half time with a 24-6 lead.

In the Second half the team started the early sets well and came to dominate once again with Savi Hafoka & Siti Tautiaga scoring tries at will with the ever reliable Steve Watkinson converting. Down to only two bench players for the remaining 30 minutes the team stuck strong. Coach Henry Solomona Was very happy with the fitness, work ethic and mobility of forwards Uala,Josh Tui, Lafi Faamausili, Steve Atutolu and Bronson Harden. Tana Fili and Lee from the wing carried the ball well and had outstanding games from the dummy half. The Premier 1st team came away with a solid win 62-10. Next week the team play Papatoetoe Panthers at Grey Lynn park. We would love to see you all down there in your Richmond gears supporting us! 

BITEM, BITEM, BULLDOGS