Richmond 18s report

Young Bulldogs pull through

Sat 20 June, 12.45pm at Victoria Park - Richmond under 18s played the Ponsonby Ponies in a tightly contested match. With both teams consisting of local schools St Paul's college and Mt Albert Grammar this game was going to be a tough game for both teams hungry for the win. In the opening stanza both teams tested each others forward packs with plenty of hard hits to be shared amongst both teams and were evenly matched with speed out wide. Promising forward Emmet Watch showed good signs of a leading his forward pack but was taken off early in to the game with injury meaning the boys around him had to step up.

 Of note, Warriors under 18s left centre John Palavi and left second rower James Levi combined well to dominate the left side of the field gaining valuable metres and damaging defence. The work from the two and the ever-growing forward pack offered gun full back Marcel Ikinofo plenty of space to expose the tiring Ponies team out on the fringes. Stand off Nick Tausi had a good day with the boot and was often instrumental in setting up his young doggies players out wide whilst pressuring the Ponies back line with his short and long kicking game.

 For the Bulldogs 18s a much better effort from each player showed how much teamwork was needed for consistency, improvement and the well deserved 2 competition points. Well done to George and the team for the much needed win. The Bulldogs sit 9th on the table (out of 18) - 2 points shy of the top 8.

Sat 13/Jun, 12:45 PM at Avondale Racecourse - Richmond under 18s played a well prepared Mt Wellington Warriors side brimming with confidence. The under 18s were well short of a full 17 and had played with courage despite the hefty 70 to 10 scoreline. Up front Sam Hughes was a dominant figure on both attack and defence whilst Jordan Schaumkel showed plenty of character in a losing side.

Sat 6 June, 12.45pm at Prince Edward Park no 2 - Richmond under 18s went down to the Papakura Sea Eagles 38 - 20

Sat 23 May, 12.45pm at Avondale Race Course no 8 - Richmond under 18s went down to the Mangere East Hawkes 80 - 12

Bite Em Bulldogs

Bulldogs dominate Hawks at home

Richmond dominanted the Mangere East Hawks premier grade in great fashion convincingly beating the 4th placed team, 40 - 12 in favour of the Bulldogs at home. Richmond were coming off a huge 60 - 4 away victory over Hibiscus Coast Raiders and were well settled in training preparation for this tough match against South Auckland heavy weights.

 Up front Nogo Watch and Ray Fa'aoso carved up the metres for the middle men with interchance prop forward Jarred Semu continually surging himself into the opposition defence once on the field. John Mana scored a cheeky dummy pass try under the post just before half time putting the home side well ahead going in to the half time break. Tongan Centre Niuvao Taka was replaced at half time bringing in last years 2008 SAS Sharman cup champion winger Brad Watkins in to the centres for his debut game in 2009.

 Returning Auckland Vulcans NSW Cup players Pita Godinet (#7) and Daniel McGregor (#1) were both outstanding and added plenty of options on attack whilst steadily setting up attacking options with the ball in hand for the outside backs. Tama Guthrie was a notable standout for the home team with great kicking options and a terrorising partnership with Godinet allowing for open space for giant centres Samuela Lousi and Meli Koliavu to add to the score board.

Richmond 20s report

Richmond 20s back in winners circle

The Richmond Bulldogs 20s played the Manurewa Blackattack team at Leabank park winning 36 - 26. Half time score was 22 - 6 to Richmond. Some awful refereeing in the second half allowed the home side plenty of possession where the Bulldogs defence was exposed with the heavy penalty count against them.

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2 points in the bag

20s thump luckless Panthers

Sat 6 June: 12.45pm, Richmond played the Papatoe Panthers at Grey Lynn park. After a miserable performance the weekend before the Bulldogs 20s had prepared well to take on a struggling Panthers team. Captain Joseph Alesi had an outstanding game as did his winger partner Kepaoa Kepaoa. Marcus Taniue and Cornelius Talagi were back to devastating form with strong hit ups whilst gun back rower Junior Uale was at his usual best. The Bulldogs team are back in the winners circle with a comprehensive 52 to 0 scoreline.