- Richmond 20s report

Bulldogs pump Rovers

Saturday 4th July 2009 Richmond's under 20's played the Otahuhu Rovers at Grey Lynn Park #3. With stand out forward Junior Uale rested and a few boys coming off sicknesses the team finally was selected just before kickoff. In the early exchanges of the game Richmond had to grind down there opposition. Ball security and ball handling proved a major problem for both teams as uncompleted sets played a big part in the unexpected tightly contested match.

Captain Nio Strickland had a solid attacking and defensive game whilst playing standoff. In open space Nio offered outside backs opportunities through well placed kicks for a screaming PJ Fa’amausili and later Kepaoa Kepaoa try whilst bagging a double for himself. Richmonds forward pack laid on some big hits but none bigger than the multiple hits prop forward Hector Purcell put on the Otahuhu second rowers in last ditch attempts to score on the fifth tackle with the Bulldogs held on their try lines. Gun centre PJ Fa’amausili had another outstanding game as he delivered crucial breaks up the middle of the field scoring a double.

Some ill-discipline crept in to the game sending a prop forward from the Otahuhu team for 10 but not before a similar shoulder charge act was noticed by the referee sending Bulldogs prop forward Paki Alesi from the field for a 10 minute spell. Richmond’s full back also had a good game and showed plenty of promise for a team down on player personnel.
Richmond plays away at Otara Braves Ngati Otara Park #1 at 2.30pm this weekend so if you get a chance get out there and support them. The Braves are placed 7th out of 13 so the team will need an improved attitude for training if they are to remain in the top 4.

- Premier grade report

Bulldogs build up well for this coming Hornets nest

Richmond's premier 1st team played the Bay Roskill Vikings at Grey Lynn Park #2 coming away with a 42 to 22 victory.

Richmond's Premier team played the powerful Bay Roskill Vikings and beat the visiting team 30 to 16. This game was not an expected easy come win for the Blue and Maroon side as the Vikings matched it with the home side’s forward pack and smart playing halves. Bay Roskill played to a powerful game plan and complemented this with determination that kept them in the game right in to the second half. However, it was the consistent probing of halves Tama Guthrie who bagged two individual effort 80 metre run away tries with strong powerful surges from the big boys up front.

Ray Fa’aoso and Jarred Semu had stand out games with the latter busting up the middle before the half time break offloading to his fellow prop partner to put him under the post showing encouraging promise that last year’s SAS Sharman Cup champions could be there come finals time. A return of motor mouth half Rob Vaa’i proved valuable to the team as he was constantly barking out orders to runners around him.

Second rowers Ben Seve and Captain Saliga Kepaoa had strong performances whilst hooker John Mana showed plenty of nous to get around the bigger Vikings pack. Final score 42 to 22 to the Bulldogs.

With Howick going down 24 to 16 at home (Paparoa park) to the Mangere East Hawkes this has pushed Richmond to equal top spot with the Hornets. With two remaining games to the competition before play offs begin Richmond play Howick this weekend which will be one of the hardest games for the Bulldogs at Grey Lynn Park #2, 2.30pm kickoff. The last time the two sides met in May the Hornets came out on top 26 to 12. In preparation for the finals play offs this game is vitally important for the home team before completing the competition against local rivals the Ponsonby Ponies at Victoria park next weekend.

- Premier grade report

Bulldogs build up well for this coming Hornets nest

Richmond's premier 1st team played the Bay Roskill Vikings at Grey Lynn Park #2 coming away with a 42 to 22 victory.

Richmond's Premier team played the powerful Bay Roskill Vikings and beat the visiting team 30 to 16. This game was not an expected easy come win for the Blue and Maroon side as the Vikings matched it with the home side’s forward pack and smart playing halves. Bay Roskill played to a powerful game plan and complemented this with determination that kept them in the game right in to the second half. However, it was the consistent probing of halves Tama Guthrie who bagged two individual effort 80 metre run away tries with strong powerful surges from the big boys up front.

Ray Fa’aoso and Jarred Semu had stand out games with the latter busting up the middle before the half time break offloading to his fellow prop partner to put him under the post showing encouraging promise that last year’s SAS Sharman Cup champions could be there come finals time. A return of motor mouth half Rob Vaa’i proved valuable to the team as he was constantly barking out orders to runners around him.

Second rowers Ben Seve and Captain Saliga Kepaoa had strong performances whilst hooker John Mana showed plenty of nous to get around the bigger Vikings pack. Outside back Nick Afoa was at his consistent best and proved to be a hand full for his Vikings oppposition with bustling runs and well executed back line plays. Final score 42 to 22 to the Bulldogs.

With Howick going down 24 to 16 at home (Paparoa park) to the Mangere East Hawkes this has pushed Richmond to equal top spot with the Hornets. With two remaining games to the competition before play offs begin Richmond play Howick this weekend which will be one of the hardest games for the Bulldogs at Grey Lynn Park #2, 2.30pm kickoff. The last time the two sides met in May the Hornets came out on top 26 to 12. In preparation for the finals play offs this game is vitally important for the home team before completing the competition against local rivals the Ponsonby Ponies at Victoria park next weekend.

- Richmond 20s report

Slow start costs 20s

On Saturday 27th June, Richmond played the Glenora Bears at Grey Lynn Park #2 and was confident that the visiting team were going to bring there “A game”. With growing crucial injuries to captain centre Joseph Alesi (broken arm), full back Jackson Afaese (leg) and stand-off Aaron Collins (ankle) plus wide scale flu like sickness to many of the boys since the start of the season the team had an unsettled week of training preparation.

It was Glenora who hit out to a 12 to nil start in the opening 20 minutes before the team settled their nerves and applied pressure against the Bears mob. Richmond's forward pack gained some momentum and struck back going in to the half time locked in at 12 all. Some ill-discipline allowed the Bears much of the ball in the early stanza of the second half. It was the Bears who hit out first with some consistent pressure scoring the next two tries before a valiant effort put Richmond back in to the game with two of their own. Richmond slowly clawed its way back in to the game but it was too late as the Bears eventually scored again to push the final score to 28 - 24. Player of the Day went to Marcus Taniue who was punishing on defence and attack. Strong performers included centre PJ Fa'amausili and second rower Cornelius Talagi.

- Premier grade report

Wins over Jaguars for both teams

Richmond's premier 1st team played the Pakuranga Jaguars and gave them a 56 to 12 thrashing. In outstanding form was Aukuso Fa'Afoi with three great tries scored along with other try scorers Sepulona Fakaofo, Akuila Ventenibua, Fale Talaepa, Andrew Kake, Michael Lavea, Johnny Ngauamo, Joshua Stephens and Sikana Ross. Coaches Frankie Schaumkel and Henry Solomona would be very proud of the effort from the visiting team.

Richmond's Premier team played the Pakuranga Jaguars at Ti Rakau park #1 and beat them 28 to 16. Richmond half back and noted try scorer Tama Guthrie scored a double whilst converting 4 goals for a personal tally of 16 points. Whilst other Richmond try scorers included outside back Corey Teina, second rower Daniel (Nella) Palavi and much improved prop forward Jarred Semu.

- 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.

- Please be advised

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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.