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

The Richmond Premiers played their last round game at New Lynn Stags home ground, Lawson Park. The Richmond Premiers this week have a few injuries to Savi Hafoka, Lafi Faamausili, Steve Watkinson and Pati Taula so called up from Premier 1st was Andrew Kake, Santos Taurua and James Finlayson who all are confidently capable of filling in the holes. In the opening first 10 minutes Richmond started slowly missing a number of crucial tackles and allowing a lead of 12-6 to New Lynn. Our line speed was far too slow, our marker defence did not defend as well as it should and it showed with the half time score being 18-14 to New Lynn.

The second half started with both team’s not trading tries but making mistakes and incomplete sets of six. New Lynn started off better scoring an unconverted try to extend their lead 22-14. We had to be the next to score to get back in the game. This came in the form of a picture perfect pass from Tama Guthrie finding Nale Bourke who went in to score a converted try to take the score to 22-20 to New Lynn. We scored two quick converted tries to Junior Uale and Hector Purcell (picture left) to take the lead 32-22 to the Doggies. With 10 minutes left in the game we made several mistakes and surrendered field position. This allowed New Lynn back in to the game in which they scored a converted try to take the game to 32-28 to Richmond. We had a set of six and with two minutes to go we gave up the ball on the 4th tackle to hand over possession and position. New Lynn attacked the blind side and found a hole to score in the corner. With full time up it was a 32-32 draw. Thank you to the Richmond supporters who came to support their team.

The Richmond Premiers played the Te Atatu Roosters at Grey Lynn Park. The Doggies started well with two quick tries and led 10 nil at the 20 minute mark. With our forwards making heaps of ground with Toleafoa Leaupepe and Junior Uale (pictured left) leading the way we showed much grit, perseverance and determination to control the game. Unfortunately we couldn’t covert these in to points. The boys fatigued losing direction, ball possession and field position to surrender their lead. At half time the score was 16-12 to the Doggies.

After the half time break Te Atatu had their own ideas and scored two quick converted tries and took the lead to 24-16. With 20 minutes to play the oggies were next to score taking the score to 24-22 to Te Atatu still. With 15 minutes to play Te Atatu scored again with a  conversion to take the lead further to 30-22. The Doggies attacked the line several times showing much determination but also desperation as careless passes  were thrown around on the first tackle. We were not patient enough during the  later stages of the game and loss the ball in early sets. It wasn’t until the  79th minute that we scored which was converted to take the score 30-28 to Te  Atatu Roosters.

We would like to thank our new Player of the Day sponsor Waterview Superette &  Laundromat and thank you to the Richmond supporters who came to support  their team.

Player of the Day was Steve Watkinson
Runner up  Player of the Day was Ojay  Guttenbeil.

Premiers came away with a  solid 52 - 14 win over the Manukau Magpies at Moyle Park. With key players returning from New Zealand Touch duties including Aaron Nootai and Tama Guthrie back on board along with explosive Centre Joe Alesi the  Richmond Premiers pack were sure to fire all cylinders and get their season back on track. The Richmond forward pack and backs started the game with a hiss and a roar shooting out to a 12 nil lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. The Doggies played to their strengths and game plan taking the lead to go to the half time break with a 20 - 6 lead.
Early in the second half the boys found it harder to mount pressure and complete their sets. The RIchmond forwards persisted with strong carries by Junior Uale and Toleafoa Leaupepe grinding the opposition forwards which allowed our spectacular halves to find space around some tiring Manukau edge defenders. Captain Aaron Nootai capitalized on some solid quick play the ball and showed great intuition to score 3 brilliant tries. The flood gates opened for  the doggies with Tama Guthrie & Joshua Siaosi touching down also in the second half. Richmond came out from Moyle park with a 52-12 win and there season campaign back on track.
 
A big thanks to Alex Afa from the Premier 1st who converted all but 2 tries. The big difference in todays game was BELIEF and the team each believe the 2012 season has only just started. There are two games remaining in this round. Player of the Day was The Whole team. Thanks to the supporters who came out to support and a big ups to Alipa Solomona, Peter Ah Kuoi and Gus Fepuleai for their words of wisdom. This Saturday the boys play Te Atatu Roosters at home in a must win game. Premier 1st open up the weekend with a kick off time of 2.45pm and Pre1miers kick off at 2.30pm. Be there at Grey Lynn park to support the boys with your colours, posters, banners and vocals.

The opening 20 minutes was a real tough grind as both teams looked to win the battle up front. Strong carries by Junior Uale and Toleafoa Leaupepe (pictured) had the home team on the front foot. As a team the boys had plenty of field position and ball posession however could not take its opportunities to put points on the board. With full back Savi Hafoka down with injury temporarily Glenfield took the opportunity to kick ahead from a well-timed scrum chase to bag first points. Both teams came to play with nothing in it at half time with Glenfield holding a slim lead 14-12.

After the half time break our Richmond boys hit their straps with some strong hit ups from powerful running utility Aukuso Faafoi and some well-timed hit and sticks from Captain Mia Tautiga. Richmond quickly put some pressure on the visiting team and managed to get out to a handy lead 26-14 with 20 minutes to play. But just like last week the boys failed to close the game out with Glenfield touching down twice in the closing stages to lock it up 26-all right on full time.

Our two Players Of the Day were backrowers Aukuso Faafoi and our captain Mia Tautiga -well done boys! Be sure to catch our next game at Grey Lynn Park this coming Saturday 21 April 2012 when we take on Otara Scorpions at 2.30pm.

Also our Richmond Club Social is this Saturday at the Richmond club rooms from 7pm. Kitchen will be open late and our very own Leonale Bourke will be DJing. Drink Specials all night. Hope to see you all there in support of our great club. #BITEEMBULLDOGS