Richard Spranger Photography

Rugby in the sun at Massey Park – Papakura v Onewhero

Richard Spranger — Sat, 12 May 2012 23:52:22 +0000

Adam Cathcart looks to offload the ball as Billy Anelusi and Antoney Robinson make the tackle. Counties Manukau Premier Club rugby game between Papakura and Onewhero, played at Massey Park Papakura on Saturday May 12th 2012. Onewhero won the game 46 - 10 after leading 36 - 3 at halftime.

Onewhero travelled down to Massey Park to play Papakura in their Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby game this week and would of been well pleased with their 36 – 3 first half performance, but with a number of positional changes at halftime the second spell was rather scrappy and Papakura held them to a final score of 46 – 10. Though Papakura have failed to register a win this season, they don’t give up and compete for the full 80 mins and have several players that really give it their all.

A gallery of photos from the Papakura vs Onewhero game can be viewed here

Photos from other Counties Manukau 2012 Premier Club games can be viewed here

The Counties Manukau Power Cup Club Rugby wrap up can be found here

Mathew Haldane fends off the tackle from Carl Reybould as he makes a strong run down the touchline.

George Crichton sprints past the James Foote and the attempted tackle by Morgan Cathcart.

David Bason reaches out for the tryline in the tackle of Wade Davis and George Crichton only to come up short.

Ifereimi Duvaga gets hit with a double tackle from Billy Anelusi and Wade Davis.

Pukekohe win the rugby up on the hill at Bombay

Richard Spranger — Mon, 07 May 2012 03:27:04 +0000

Niva Ta'auso looks to bust between Bombay defenders Ananaki Vailua and Sioele Veamatahau. Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby game between Bombay and Pukekohe, played at Bomaby on May 5th 2012. Pukekohe won the game 24 - 16 after leading 10 - 6 at halftime.

Pukekohe Premiers ventured up the hill to Bombay for their Counties Manukau Club Rugby game on Saturday and will of been happy to get a win, even though they made very hard work of it. Once again Bombay will be very disappointed to come second in a two horse race and are definitely due a win. They manage to compete well for 70 mins, but make telling mistakes that allows their opposition to score in those last few minutes of the game and they run out of time to make a come back.

It turned out to be a good day for Pukekohe, especially their fullback Rob Dennison as later in the evening he pocketed a cool $3000 at the Chiefs vs Lions Super 15 game when he won the Waikato Draught kicking competition at halftime. I am sure it was a good night at the Smart Bar after the game.

Photos from the Bombay vs Pukekohe Premier Club Rugby game can be viewed here

Photos from other Countoes Manukau Premier Club Rugby 2012 season games can be viewed here.

Counties Manukau Club Rugby wrap up for Round 8 can be viewed here

Joe Heta throws himself into the tackle of Maama Vaipulu.

Joe Heta passes from a defensive ruck.

Niva Ta'auso busts through the Bombay defensive line and heads for the tryline.

Mathew Biggelaaris all determination as he sprints down the right hand touchline past Robert Agnew.

Elijah Vai Koaneti runs into the tackle of Edward Moetu.

Patumahoe win one for Coach Reon Graham

Richard Spranger — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:10:24 +0000

Baden Kerr manages to get his pass away as he is taken to ground by Tekori Luteru. Counties Manukau Premier Club rugby game between Karaka and Patumahoe, played at the Karaka Sports Park on Saturday April 28th 2012. Patumahoe won 24 - 13 after leading 9 - 6 at halftime.

Patumahoe’s win over Karaka in Counties Manukau Premier Club rugby on Saturday would of been all the more satisfying after hearing that their Coach Reon Graham had recovered consciousness earlier in the day, after collapsing at training on Thursday night and needing to be revived before being taken to hospital, where he remained in a coma for day and a half.

Karaka competed well in the first half but the Paty boys seemed to lift to a new level after the break and in the end won the game fairly confortably 24 – 13. This extends Patumahoe’s winning streak this season to 6 games and they are looking more dominate each week. It is going to take a huge effort from one of the others teams to stop the undefeated run of this Premier finalist from last year. On the other end of the scale last years Champions Pukekohe are really struggling and languish down in 7th place on the points table.

More photos form the Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby game between Karaka and Patumahoe can be viewed here.

Vernon Comley doesn't need the help of Tekori Luteru as he up-ends Karaka's David Luteru in the tackle.

Osaiasi Koloamatangi has to contend with Troy Abernethy and Bruce Kaino as he makes a run into the Patumahoe 22.

Halaeua Haani dives over in the tackle of Sila Puafisi to score Patumahoe's second try.

Tekori Luteru dives over to score Patumahoe's third try in the tackle of Andrew West.

Bundellu Aki fails to stop Antonio Lavemai from diving over in the final minute of the game to score Karaka's solitary try.

Bombay come up short against Ardmore Marist in CMFRU Club Rugby

Richard Spranger — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:59:23 +0000

Sherwyn Stowers and Carlin Hana compete for the ball from a high kick.

Took photos at the Bombay v Ardmore Marist Club rugby game yesterday and have to say that Bombay were probably unlucky to lose 13 – 15, after being the dominant team for most of the game.

Ardmore Marist having come off their big win against Waiuku last week seemed to be running at half pace and tended to play as individuals rather than as a team. It was only in the last 20 minutes that they got some unity and go forward.

A gallery of photos from the Bombay vs Ardmore Marist game can be viewed here

Mike Butcher picks up and drives Suliasi Taufalele to ground in a strong tackle.

Sepuloni Taufa crashes to ground in the tackle of Vuea Tagicakibau.

Lucky Palamo makes a telling break past the Bombay defenders. Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby game between Bombay and Ardmore Marist, played at Bombay on April 21st, 2012..Ardmore Marist won 15 - 13 after trailing 5 - 8 at halftime.

Patumahoe hit 60+ against Papakura in Counties Manukau Club Rugby

Richard Spranger — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 03:34:58 +0000

Jeremy Chapman tries to stop the run of Joshua Van Lieshout.

Patumahoe travelled to Massey Park to take on the new boys to Counties Manukau Premier rugby, Papakura, yesterday and came away with a resounding victory 64 – 0.

Papakura competed well for short spells but couldn’t sustain enough pressure to the exprienced Paty side and failed to cross the tryline. I am sure that they will improve and two players that stood out for me were Vernon Horn in the midfield and No 7 George Chrichton. Patumahoe are already looking the team to beat this year and if they can keep momentum they should romp into the finals.

More photos from the Papakura v Patumahoe Premier Club Rugby game can be viewed here

Photos from other 2012 Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby games can be viewed here

Kane Hancy dives over in the attempted tackle of Vernon Horn to score one of his 3 tries.

George Chrichton tries to fight free of the Patumahoe tacklers, Alepini Olosoni and Niels Egelmeer.

Joshua Van Lieshout takes Vernon Horn to ground as John Tamalii breaks upfield. Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby game between Papakura and Patumahoe, played at Massey Park Papakura on Saturday April 14th 2012. Patumahoe won 64 - 0 after leading 33 - 0 at halftime.

Counties Manukau Ultra-rip Rugby Day at Waiuku

Richard Spranger — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:53:25 +0000

I took photos at the Counties Manukau Rugby Unions Ultra-rip rugby day held at Waiuku for local school kids on Tuesday. There was a good number of local schools competing, with both Ultra-rip and conventional ripper rugby games being played.

The Ultra-rip rugby game was developed here in Counties Manukau by 2 of the Unions RDO’s Jeremy Wara and Dameon Chaney and is becoming popular as a sport for not only kids, with lots of touch players starting to play this new brand of footy.

A gallery of photos of some of the action from the Ultra-rip rugby can be veiwed here

Waiuku win over Karaka in CMRFU Premier Club Rugby

Richard Spranger — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:32:01 +0000

Notise Tauafao tries to push off the tackle of Andrew West as he makes a telling run down the touchline.

Took photos at the Counties Manukau Premier Club rugby game between Waiuku and Karaka on Saturday out at Waiuku.

The first half was end to end action with some 52 points being scored and the crowd certainly got their moneys worth in entertainment. In contrast the second half only had 12 points scored, though the game was still in the balance up to the final whistle with Waiuku running out winners by 6 points. Final score 35 – 29.

A gallery of photos from the Waiuku vs Karaka Premier Rugby game can be viewed here

The new Canon 5D mkIII camera is a joy to use and the auto focus is streets ahead of the old mkII. The computer on the other hand doesn’t like all the extra files and I can see more hard drive storage being needed in the near future.

Simon Lemalu has plenty of support from Conall Bromwich, Eli Peters, Mark Muir and Kato Nganeko as he kicks the ball ahead.

Osaiasi Koloamatangi makes good meters upfield.

Eli Peters and Seremaia Tagicakibau both try to secure the loose ball. Premier Counties Manukau Club Rugby game between Waiuku and Karaka played at Waiuku on April 7th 2012.Waiuku won the game 35 - 29 after leading 32 - 20 at halftime.

Counties Manukau Premier Club Rugby starts for 2012

Richard Spranger — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 23:43:17 +0000

The Premier Club rugby season started yesterday in the Counties Manukau region and I went up to Onewhero to cover their game against Karaka. There has been lots of player movement between clubs and Unions as well as several new Coaches, with one being Ex All Black Mike Brewer who is now at the helm of Onewhero. Waiuku stalwart Grant Henson has shifted to the Whero team after playing 199 game for Waiuku and had the honour of leading his new team out onto the paddock for his 200th premier club rugby game.

The game was a typical early season match with lots of mistakes and not a lot of continuity and both sets of Coaches will have plenty to work on in the coming weeks.

A gallery of photos from the Onewhero vs Karaka rugby game can be viewed here

Fulton Swim School – Franklin Primary Schools Triathlon

Richard Spranger — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:38:21 +0000

Children from local Primary Schools competed in this years Fulton Swim School Franklin Primary Schools Triathlon at Clarks Beach yesterday and I covered the event once again.

Its great to see so many children taking part in the event and this year the weather came to the party as well with lots of sunshine and calm seas, after our recent spell of wild and wintry conditions.

A very large gallery of photos from the Triathlon can be viewed here.

Galleries of images from the previous two years can be viewed here

Eight Year old boys winners James Walters 1st, Robson Wallace 2nd & Thomas Marchant 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Eight Year old girls winners Mackenzie Brears 1st, Anna Kennerley 2nd & Caitlyn Marx 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Nine Year old boys winners Haydem Mackay 1st, Sam Hewett 2nd & Luke Crookbain 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Nine Year old girls winners Lucia Harris 1st, Kenna Richmond 2nd & Erin Omara 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Ten Year old boys winners Hamish Nicholls 1st, Milan Martinovich 2nd & Josh Nicol 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Ten Year old girls winners Alice Patterson 1st, Bridget Sullivan 2nd & Ella Farrell 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Eleven Year old boys winners with Daniel Fulton.

Eleven Year old girls winners Katlyn Steedman 1st, Hayley Marx 2nd & Emily Gillion 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Twelve Year old boys winners Flynn Barron 1st, Sam Titler-Dower 2nd & William Gasson 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Twelve Year old girls winners Roxanne Rawnsley 1st, Sarah Farrell 2nd & Ellenna Caudwell 3rd with Daniel Fulton.

Super Chiefs bounce back

Richard Spranger — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 07:06:37 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams

The Chiefs bounced back to record a resounding victory29 – 14 of near neighbours the Blues, after their first round defeat to the Highlanders a week before.

More photos from a wet Waikato stadium and the Investec Super Rugby game between the Chiefs and Blues can be viewed here

Photos from the first round 2012 Investec Super Rugby game between the Chiefs and Highlanders can be viewed here