Richmond Premier 1st played Te Atatu Roosters at Jack Colvin Park in West Auckland. After a disappointing loss to Otara Scorpions the team trained hard with a back to basics attitude this week. The first half saw the Richmond boys dominate from the big boys up front creating space for the halves and allowed space for the speedy outside backs. The platform was set and structure worked very well with a 26 to nil lead. Unfortunately, the Richmond boys fell asleep and allowed Te Atatu both possession and field position that they capitalized on. The Roosters scored 22 unanswered points. Richmond pulled away late in the game with a 30-22 win.

With four remaining games to the season it was important to take the 2 competition points. Next week our team play the East Coast Bays Barracudas at Grey Lynn park. They are currently placed third on the ladder and no doubt going to bring with them a tough team. We would love to have your support at this weekends home game.

Player of the Day was awarded to second rower Josh Tui for his relentless defence. He was strong all round also on attack showing great foot work and a powerful fend.

Also, the team would like to acknowledge our 2013 winner of the front jersey naming rights sponsor ‘Saints Academy’. We at the Richmond Rovers rugby league club are very happy to be associated with this organization.

Richmond Prems 1st had a much improved week of training in preparation for its home game against the Te Atatu Roosters. After last weekends disappointing home game loss to the Otara Scorpions the forward pack had wanted redemption to make up from last weekends effort. Strong runs from prop forwards Logan Wright and Fia ensured the halves had plenty of time and space out wide.

Halves Josh Mana and Josh Siaosi combined well with hooker Lance Wright to create opportunities and continued momentum. The Prems 1st team went into half time with a comfortable 26-0 scoreline courtesy of tries to Francis Gallagher, Wiremu (Woody) Takeriu and Josh Mana.

The second half started with Te Atatu scoring in the mid field. The Richmond boys went back to grind footy by reverting back to basics with dominating defence and quick attack to swing the momentum in Richmond's favour. 
Final score 52-6. Although the scoreline showed a dominant performance it was a credit to the players determination in defence that stood out. Player of the day went to centre James Finlayson. Next week we travel to Freyberg park to play East Coast Bays Barracuddas and would appreciate your support as we look to take on the current top of the table team.

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