Picking the winners is not proving easy in this two-week-old national rugby league competition. Three-time Fox Memorial
champions Glenora were easily beaten 34-6 by Brian McLennan's Hibiscus Coast side, while Northcote trailed the
Ngongotaha Chiefs with five minutes remaining before winning 20-13.
Bartercard Cup - Round Two Results: Saturday, March 18, 2000
Hibiscus Coast Raiders 34
(W Mackie, S Ata, L Maginley, T Thompson, T Daniels, R Wigg tries; S Ata 5 con)
Glenora Bears 6
(B Nelson try; S Buckingham con)
Halftime: 18-6 Hibiscus Coast
One of the big upsets in round two of the Bartercard Cup was Hibiscus Coast's emphatic victory over the highly-fancied
Glenora side. The contest looked even after both sides scored early tries but the first-half sin-binning of big Glenora
centre Ricky Henry proved costly for the west Auckland side.
Hibiscus Coast scrored two tries either side of the half-time break, effectively shutting Glenora out of the game. The
Hibiscus Coast forwards were a cohesive unit, with every player contributing to a fine all-round performance.
"I am reluctant to point out any individual after a six-try-to-one thumping of the current Auckland champs, it had to be
a team effort," said Raiders coach Brian McLennan. But Raiders second row forward Jeff Thurston proved a worthy player
of the day, while standoff Lenny Maginley was outstanding in all facets of play.
Sunday, March 19, 2000
Wainuiomata 40
(B Weepu, W Puohotama 2, M Luke, E Oti, D Edmonds, B Ratahi, J Bell tries; B Weepu 3 cons, S Berryman con)
Marist Richmond 28
(N Presland 2, P Tuimavavae, I Va'alua, A Manu tries; K Bredenbeck 4 cons)
Halftime: 20-16 Wainuiomata
Wainuiomata travelled to Auckland determined to kick-start their Bartercard Cup campaign after a first-round loss to
Northcote. That determination proved too much for Marist Richmond in a game that proves quality football is not the
exclusive domain of the NRL. Wainuiomata prop Billy Weepu scored a try in the opening minutes and his side looked like
they were about to run away with the game after scoring two more tries in rapid succession.
Marist Richmond went to their bench to stem the flow and were rewarded with instant success after interchange player
Nigel Presland scored twice, bringing the home side within striking distance at halftime. Referee Arthur Clark allowed
the game to flow by ensuring quick and clean play in the ruck area. Both teams responded, rewarding the enthusiastic
crowd with a free-flowing exhibition of rugby league.
Canterbury Bulls 50
(R Hubbard 3, S Woodgate, C McCaulsand 3, M Emslie, T Tongia, S Norton tries; R Hubbard 3 con, pen, J Manuel con)
Mt Albert Lions 12
L Rodgers, M McClay tries; L Rodgers 2 con)
Halftime: 18-6 Canterbury
Rugby League Park, Christchurch will be a graveyard for any visiting team according to Canterbury Bulls general manager
Marcus Durkin. A large Canterbury crowd got right behind their team in a 10-try performance that leaves the only South
Island team at the top of the points table.
Mt Albert scored a try just after halftime to bring the score to 18-12 but the home side responded by picking up the
pace of a game played in hot conditions. Raymond Hubbard made an impressive debut at fullback, with three tries and five
conversions for a points tally of 22.
Eastern Tornadoes 26
(W Sua 2, J Tatana, M Murray, F Tupou tries; J Flavell 3 con)
Manurewa Marlins 18
(A Kiro, H McGuire, G Adams, W Barnett tries; G Welsh con)
Halftime: 6-4 Manurewa
In a local derby at Ericsson Stadium, Auckland the Eastern Tornadoes proved too strong for the Manurewa Marlins. The
Marlins were ahead for most of the game, dominating field position and possession. In the final quarter, the Tornadoes
pulled back a 10-point deficit by moving the ball wide to impressive second row forward Philip Leuluai and Winston Sua
on the wing. The result keeps the Eastern Tornadoes at the top of the points table with three other teams.
Northcote Tigers 20
(H Kapi 2, G Hau, C Fa'avae tries; J Cook 2 con)
Ngongotaha Chiefs 13
(J Stevens 2, A Leota, D Hewitt tries; D Murray 1 drop goal)
Halftime: 8-6 Northcote
Ngongotaha almost pulled off the biggest upset of the round, leading 13-12 over Northcote with five minutes left. The
overall conditioning and experience of the Northcote pack allowed the home team to remain patient and score two tries
for victory. On the effort and commitment displayed, the Chiefs will be a force to be reckoned with as the competition
moves forward.
Otahuhu Leopards 58
(S Kiri 3, H Te Rangi 3, G Carmont, M Lethbridge, S Edwards, E Toby, C Magele tries; H Te Rangi 7 cons)
Porirua Pumas 22
(D Paul, W Doughty, M Ioane, P Madar tries; C Smith 3 cons)
Halftime: 20-0 Otahuhu