The LJ Hooker Richmond Premiers take on the Howick Hornets at Grey Lynn Park on Saturday 5th July. 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 add to its consecutive wins! Premier 1st kick off at 12.45pm. Premier team 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.

Richmond Premiers travelled South to Otahuhu Leopards home ground, Bert Henham in the round 12 Auckland Rugby League Fox Memorial Shield encounter.

Otahuhu on paper have a number of seasoned Fox Memorial campaigners so Richmond were expecting a tough tussle. It was Richmond’s forwards who dominated in the battle up front with Richmond back rowers Andrew Kake, Ben Seve and Siliga Kepaoa showing stand out defence. Tower-house back rower Andrew Kake scored the opening try to put Richmond ahead -something that has been a common thing in recent weeks. Richmond’s defence was much improved with a number of stiff hit and stick tackles keeping the Otahuhu second rowers awkwardly quiet. Otahuhu expected to play expansive footie however it was Richmond who forced Otahuhu towards the side line on five separate occasions.

Richmond played well to target the Otahuhu Leopards halves when the Richmond Premier team had the ball. Strong carries from Stewart Preuss and Logan Wright proved how dangerous this Richmond Premier side can be with ball in hand. The back five did a lot of grind work, setting up the platform and running the opposition mid field ragged. This proved effective as the home side fatigued allowing Richmond to build sustained confidence for the back end of the game.

Richmond’s Backs were on fire in attack with good hole-running and contesting the 50/50 bombs lead to ‘highlight reel type’ tries being scored. A good team effort where Coach Bernie Perenara can be pleased with the teams’ improvement since his involvement in the team. Ball security and the penalty count will be important to the Richmond Premier team in coming days as they prepare for a Howick Hornets side coming off two losses.

Try scorer Andrew Kake added after his team’s consecutive game wins, “The boys are all working from the same page and have really stepped it up on game day. When we were in the second half arm wrestle we showed the fighting Richmond spirit.”

Richmond Premiers kick off next Saturday at Grey Lynn Park against Howick Hornets at 2.30pm. Premier 1st  at 12.45pm.

Half time: 12 – 6 Richmond
Full time: 31 – 14 Richmond

Team named: Damon Niko, David Dyer, Ayden Devery, Ley Vano, Corey Teina, Josh Mana, Josh Siaosi, Stewart Preuss, John Mana, Jonah Sofele, Ben Seve, Andrew Kake, Siliga Kepaoa. Logan Wright, Mafola Timaloa, Isala Peau, Hector Purcell. 

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.

Richmond Rovers Rugby league club held an informal event held at the Richmond club room on Thursday 3rd March to welcome its 2014 sponsors. Representatives from the sponsors businesses attended what was a pleasant reminder that Richmond Rovers is a club that has great brand recognition and a management team second to none. 

Each sponsor received a special sponsors Richmond jersey. Sponsors were then given the opportunity to speak to the Richmond Premier players who were left with a good impression of Richmond in 2014. Premier players were presented their team polo tops in recognition of their hard work over the preseason training. 

By LAUREN PRIESTLEY
Source: Harbour News

 A century-old club is breaking new ground by going cold turkey this year.
Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club, based at Grey Lynn Park, has been alcohol-free since March 17.

"We're basically promoting this as a sports club, not a drinking club," chairman Gus Fepuleai says.

"It's about forward thinking and trying to get alcohol right away from our kids. We've got to change that culture of drinking and sports that's been around forever."

The decision was made because of issues with drinking in Grey Lynn Park where antisocial behaviour, noise and litter have been the subject of frequent complaints from neighbours in the past three years, he says.

The club wants to bring the focus back to sport.

"Rugby league has been copping the stick for a long time and it's about time we're doing something positive.

"Someone has to take the lead. It's our performance on the field that is important and looking after the welfare of our players, kids and community."

The club will lose revenue from the bar but will save money by not needing to hire additional staff and extra security at the premises, Mr Fepuleai says.

Grey Lynn Residents Association chairman Dan Salmon says the decision to remove alcohol is a brave one.

The sports club has been working hard to foster relationships with other organisations in the area as well as the park's neighbours, he says.

"I think it's a big and bold step they've made to try and address those issues.

"I really hope they get support from the community and the club for doing it. It's definitely something to watch and hopefully other sports clubs around the country might follow."

Waitemata Local Board deputy chairwoman Pippa Coom says the club has made the decision with its future in mind.

"It's really courageous that they've done it. I know it is a difficult decision for them but I personally think they've really done the right thing."

Mr Fepuleai says the board is also pushing for new facilities at the Grey Lynn Park site and is starting a two to five-year business plan to increase membership with the aim of keeping Richmond going for the next 100 years.

The club wants to take part in the Grey Lynn Park Festival this year and will focus on selling healthy drinks and food at the clubrooms, he says.

"It's about the values and letting the kids know what is right and what is wrong.

"You can access alcohol anywhere. What's the big deal with not having it right in front of our kids' faces?"

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 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.

Team: Aaron Unasa, Francis Gallgher, Nio Strickland, James Finlayson, Arno, Josh Siaosi, Josh Mana, Willie Uili, Jason Mudgway, Vae Kalolo, Junior Uale, Dave Falefitu, Bronson Harden. Kennedy, Stan Bourke, Fia, Lafi Faamausili. Coach: Henry Solomona, Jesse Bourke. Manager, Tuu Lialia'i.

Richmond Premier 1st played the Manukau Magpies at Grey Lynn Park. Training this week focused on cardio fitness and line speed off the defence line. A number of Premier grade players had dropped back and with new combinations to be made the Premier grade players certainly wanted to impress to stake their claim back in to the Premier grade. Players included tireless forwards Junior Uale, Willie Uili, Vae Kalolo, Dave Falefitu, hooker Jason Mudgway and outside back speedster Nio Strickland.

With much of the week being wet the game was transferred to Grey Lynn Park field 3. To compound the field change and changes to the foward pack Richmond wanted to start with a hiss and roar to show the Premier 1st competition that Richmond will be a force in 2013. A slow start for the home team meant the half time score was only 24-6. Considering the Richmond team had a ton of experience and Manukau played with only a 12 man team the stern half time talk from coaches Henry Solomona and Jesse Bourke ensured the boys would come out fired up for a big half. 

Combinations were much better in the second half where centres James Finlayson scored four tries with his centre partner Nio Strickland scoring a hatrick (3 tries) himself. The effort started from the forward pack who lay a good platform for space out on the fringes and out in the back line. Final score was 70-16 to the mighty Richmond Rovers. Player of the Day was Aaron Unasa who chimed in well at the full back position. Special mention goes to the halves Josh Siaosi and Josh Mana for steering the team around the park with creative kick plays and depth passing games. Both players challenged the Magpies defence line and always questioned the edge plays with great combinations in Finlayson and Strickland.  

The Richmond Premier 1st will need all the support they can get next weekend as the team travel to Ngati Otara Park to take on the table topping Otara Scorpions. Kickoff is at 12.45pm 

Richmond Rovers Rugby league is proud to announce that Auckland’s premier early child hood care has a 2013 jersey sponsor by the business name of; Mataliki Education Care Centre.

Mataliki believe a Tokelau language is to be spoken, the culture to be encouraged, nurtured, and also for our children to retain the value of Christian principles, has come on board as the Premier grade jersey naming rights sponsor for this 2013 season.

“We’re really excited about this new relationship” said Gus Fepuleai, Richmond Rover’s club chairman. “The Premier team is currently leading the Sharman Cup competition after nine games and the club as a whole is evolving with junior and senior player participation at the Richmond club on the rise. We look forward to continuing our form and with Mataliki in support of our Premier club team we believe our club will get to the next level –the Fox Memorials shield competition in 2014.”

Fepuleai continued. “The support from our other business raffle sponsors is very much appreciated and we all wish Richmond Premier Coach Ming Mafoe and his coaching staff and management team a very successful year”.

Mataliki has it education centre in Mangere, Auckland and provides a complete child care centre.

 “Mataliki and Richmond Rovers Rugby league club have a long standing relationship; not only in terms of support for our Premier grade team jersey sponsorship, but through contribution to some of our club players from the Premiers and 2012 Premier 2nds Champions Tokes (Tokelaun team). Such players include outside back DeBarres who was “impressive in his 2013 debut for the Premier team last weekend against New Lynn Stags”, Molly Foai, Richmond Premier’s Manager explained.

“The purpose of Mataliki is to develop the individuality of all children are respected and recognized therefore we endeavor as educators to implement the curriculum of Te Whaariki to plan our programme according to the child's needs”. Administrator Lita (Foai) Foai said “We believe Mataliki Tokelau Akoga Kamata is the extension of the child's family, helping them to feel a sense of belonging and their safety and well-being is well cared for and protected”.

Richmond Rovers Rugby league is also proud to announce Internationally recognized up-and-coming dance academy Saints Junior Dance Academy as the 2013 jersey sponsor for the Richmond Premier 1st grade team.