The LJ Hooker Richmond Premiers take on the Otahuhu Leopards at Bert Henham Park on Saturday 28th June. 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. With all Bulldogs supporters in attendance the team can finish Round 1 with a hopeful win! Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm. Premier team kick off 2.30pm.

Full player profiles click here: http://tiny.cc/ttgiex

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

Match Report
The Richmond Premiers finally have got the monkey off its back and have secured its first win of the 2014 Fox Memorial Shield Competition. Solid performance from each team member who are finally playing to the teams potential. Strong performance noticeably from winger David Dyer, opening try scorer Andrew Kake and the front rowers who laid the platform for the team.

It was clear that new head coach Bernie Perenara, now in to week three of the Premier team role has addressed the backs out-wide defence. The huge improvement proved a vastly different side with no tries being scored out wide.

The forward pack was on top form dominating from the get go. Lead strongly by Hector Purcell, Stewart Preuss, Jonah Sofele and Logan Wright up front the enormous effort to gain metres at will with a quick succession substitution system helped keep the momentum in the home teams favor.

The skillful second rowers caused a lot of headaches for the visiting Hawks as Siliga Kepaoa, Ben Seve and opening game try scorer Andrew Kake were causing havoc on the fringes. Off load options and support in numbers allowed for half break opportunities. Defensively the back row were kept busy as they contained Mangere’s big boys and outside backs. The hunger for defence is back!

The space created allowed for the outside backs to finish off tries. Something proven difficult in round one. Apart from the one handling error in the first half from winger David Dyer who went on to make amends by scoring a hatrick in the second half, the team were solid.

The Premier team would like to acknowledge the strong start to the very loud and vocal Richmond crowd. Hooker John Mana said “I felt it (the Richmond crowd) helped me out when I was tiring towards the back end of the first half and early second half. The crowd played a big part in our win.” It was a good team effort from the whole team and management especially with everyone doing their roles and more when it was needed. "The boys kept digging in and stuck in the grind together and when things were going tough we just played as a team", says John Mana.

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

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!

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.

The Richmond Premier 1st played Otara Scorpions on Saturday 20th April 2013. Otara were the Sharman Cup Premier 1st defending champions and as expected they would come with a strong line up based on there early season results.

The Premier 1st had two fairly easy games in recent weeks win huge wins with the most recent being a 78-0 drubbing of the Manukau Magpies. Coaches Henry Solomona and Jess Bourke were expecting a tough tussle. With a few injuries the coaching team were wanting a strong side to take Otara's forward pack on with former Richmond Rovers junior Lance Wright on debut in the hooker role. The team was lead strongly by prop forward Logan Wright, captain Akuso and Steve Watkins in the forward pack. The teams dominance proved strong in the opening 40 minutes however the lack of execution let the team down and effectively gave the visiting team enough space for a fight back. The Premier 1st team went in to the half time break leading 10-6.

As expected Otara came out with a hiss and a roar and to the coaches disappointment the team strayed away from the game plan providing Otara ample opportunities to sneak back into the game. Ball security and forced passes frustrated the Premier 1st boys and the determined Otara team scored with 15 minutes gone in the second half. The weather provided some difficulty with heavy rain and flash lightning affecting both teams for a solid 15 minutes. However this did not deter the Premier 1st team from forcing passes and throwing long balls in our own half giving up ball possession and valuable field position.
 
Otara mounted some pressure and scored again to take a commanding 18-10 lead. With five minutes to go the team scored in the corner and on debut hooker Lance Wright slotted the side line conversion to take the game within 2 points, 18-16 to Otara. Unfortunately, Otara scored again in the dying minutes to take the final score to 22-16 to Otara.

Thanks to all the Richmond supporters who braved the wind, cold and rain. We wish to make up for this and look to make amends this coming weekend when we take on the Te Atatu Roosters at Grey Lynn park, 12.45pm kick off.