BULLDOGS GRAB THE CUP

A hard-fought rugby league grand final win for the Richmond Bulldogs sees them crowned 2013 SAS Sharman Cup champions and promoted to next year's Fox Memorial Shield.

The Bulldogs capped off their centennial year with an 18-14 win over the Otara Scorpions after a cliffhanger finish in front of a 1500-strong crowd at Henderson's Trusts Stadium on Saturday.

Both teams fully deserved their place in the final after a long and hard season.

The Bulldogs came into the final after a strong performance in the semifinals against the Scorpions, trouncing them 34-22.

The first try of the day came in the fifth minute courtesy of Bruce Tusa who put through Tagisia Fulutusi for the Scorpions.

Toleafoa Leaupepe went agonisingly close but the desperate Scorpions defence held out - until a rampaging Hector Purcell bulldozed over to give Richmond their first points.

Steve Watkinson converted and Richmond were up 6-4. Richmond seemed to get a second wind and with only 10 to go in the first half went over again down the left flank after quick hands had Marcus Auva'a ground the ball under pressure.

Another Watkinson conversion had Bulldogs up 12-4 at halftime.

In the second half the Bulldog's Bronson Harden was held up in goal to be denied a try.

This gave Otara their first opportunity of the half and James Tulikaki crossed to give the Scorpions their second try, making the score 12-8 after a missed conversion.

Richmond did not have to wait long for their next chance and when the Bulldogs kicked early and caught Scorpions' winger Tagisia Fulutusi out of position, the Bulldogs found themselves hard on attack. From there an early tap by Watkinson had him find his opposites napping and he managed to plant the ball to extend the lead to 18-8 after converting the try.

With three minutes remaining Scorpions' five-eight Leiloa Lafaele crossed and with a successful conversion it was 18-14 to the Bulldogs with a minute to go.

From the kickoff Otara missed the ball and it went out for a line dropout.

The Scorpions gained possession and broke away downfield but an Otara grubber failed to find its man and the ball was cleared for the Bulldogs to win 18-14.

SAS Sharman Cup Grand Final Results:

Richmond Bulldogs 18 (12) V (4) 14 Otara Scorpions.

Team list: Meke Unasa, Mafola Timaloa, Debarres Neemia, Marcus Auvaa, Edwin Pita, Steve Watkinson, Josh Siaosi, Hector Purcell, Jason Mudgway, Toleafoa Leaupepe, Ben Seve, Siliga Kepaoa, Karl Simeti. Tama Guthrie, Joe Alesi, Hans Leauanae, Harry Vete.

Richmond started with a hiss and roar with two early tries to winger Mafola Timaloa. The forwards were strong with juggernauts Toleafoa Leaupepe and Hector Purcell smashing up the mid field with strong prop carries.. Tireless captain Karl Simeti was courageous with his early hit ups and tackles. The left edge was kept busy with Marcus Auvaa and Ben Seve containing the attacking Otara backs. The halves combinations formed well to get early ball out to the backs spreading the Scorpions mid field. In one instance Hector Purcell made a mid field line break and gifted his partner in crime Toleafoa a try in front of the post.

Co-Captain Joey Alesi showed great resolve to help his forward pack playing from the front row. In the end Otara were outplayed by a more passionate and determined Richmond team. No doubt Otara will come back firing but first they take on Papatoetoe in next weekends elimination semi final. Player of the day - Mafola Timaloa with two tries. His post try celebrations would have all members proud. 


Richmond Premiers thank all our Richmond supporters that came out to support them out at Ngati Otara Park. Well done to our Richmond Premiers and much thanks to the coaching staff and Richmond families. There is one more game to go. We want all Richmond supporters at the Sharman Cup Grand finals on August 17th at the Trust Stadium.

Half time score: Otara 16, Richmond 14. 
A nail biting 15 mins to go with Otara 20, Richmond Premiers 28. 
8 mins to go Otara 22, Richmond Premiers 30.
34 - 22 Richmond over Otara
Full time score to Richmond Premiers top class today took it to Otara final score 34 -22 an awesome win. 
We are off to the 2013 Sharman Cup Grand Final. 

The Richmond Prems 1st played the Manurewa Marlins at Grey Lynn Park in a confrontational battle. After last weekend's narrow 16-10 loss to the East Coast Bays in atrocious weather we as a team needed to lift our game.

The Prems 1st team started well scoring two converted tries with good quick the ball and back up in support play. With injury (groin strain) to centre Ben Collins in the first half the Prems 1st were down to three prop forwards on the bench with back rower Andrew Kake filling in the outside backs. In a grind type match Manurewa scored two tries of their own in the closing first half stanza to take the game 12-10 to Richmond.

With a stern talking to by coach Henry Solomona at half time the forwards went back to basics and set a good platform for the halves who were creative with free flowing plays. With Rob Vai'i on debut and half back Harry Vete kicking in to space the team began to chime as one. The outside backs completed what the forward pack had begun with tries to second rower Andrew Kake, full back Francis Gallagher and Harry Vete. Harry had a superb day with the boot converting all the second half tries to take the final score to 38-20. A superb effort from the Prems 1st team especially from our Player of the Day, Zac Tui in hooker

The Good: Big ups to Rob Vai'i (pictured above) who played a dominating passing game at standoff.
The Bad: Rob playing a complete game but also spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for a professional foul
The Ugly:  Professional foul came to be because Rob was standing behind the Manurewa half back and waited until he got the ball before he spot tackled him in the back, Good one mate! Don't forget your penalty.

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.

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