Western Pioneers
The seaon has ended for the Western Pioneers with their 44-11 loss to North Shore on Saturday
The season has ended for the Century 21 Burmester Realty Western Pioneers with their 44-11 loss to North Shore on Saturday.
They played 16 games, won 10 and lost 6, including three times to North Shore.
Their leading point’s scorer was Regan Oxenham with 144 points, and the other kicker was Geraint Walsh who scored 62 points.
Charlie Luteru scored 15 tries, which is two ahead of the next highest try scorer in the competition. He is poised to win the Union’s trophy for most tries scored in club rugby, a great effort.
The other Pioneer’s wing, Apiu Pritchard currently lies in third place with 12 tries, also an excellent result.
Next week we will report on how the Senior First team went in their final, and individually acknowledge all the managers, coaches etc who have assisted in making this a great season for the Western Pioneer’s two teams.
Sponsor Profile
The last sponsor we wish to acknowledge this season is G J Gardner Homes, who assisted the Pioneers with their gear bags.
G J Gardner is one of NZ’s best known home builders, with the company initially being founded in Queensland by Greg Gardner in 1983. Their commitment is based on “uncompromised quality and value” and “homes designed to meet individual customer’s needs and built to a committed time frame.”There are many great examples of G J Gardner homes in the Rodney region, none more so than in the Cabeleigh Drive area in Helensville, and their show home in Huapai. They are sound, well constructed and modern, with their many designs able to be adapted for each individual owner’s personal requirements.
They are best to be contacted by going to their website, www.gjgardner.co.nz or call 0800 42 45 46
You won’t have any leaky home dramas with G J Gardner Homes.
The Western Pioneers thank the local Rodney franchise for their support this season and look forward to having them back on board in 2012.
Did you see the article in this weekend’s edition of the NZ Herald on the future of club rugby in Auckland and North Harbour, suggesting that the amalgamation of clubs on a large scale will not be too far away?
The formation of the Western Pioneers will not be the last as many clubs are experiencing financial difficulties and lack of young men willing to commit to playing Premier grade club rugby.
A little crystal ball gazing would suggest that in time we may see clubs such as Glenfield and Northcote merge, East Coast Bays and Marist, perhaps Mahurangi with Wellsford and what about Takapuna and North Shore!!
Management of the Western Pioneers will be only too happy to pass on their proven knowledge if any of the other North Harbour club’s is looking for any assistance on such matters.
Don’t forget to support the Century 21 Senior First team in their Plate Final on Saturday 23 July against Massey at Kumeu, kick off 2.30pm.
Western Pioneers Match Report 23 July 2011
The Century 21 Burmester Realty Western Pioneer’s inaugural season in the North Harbour club rugby competition ended with a whimper on Saturday when they were comprehensively bundled out at the semi final stage by North Shore 44-11.
It was a disappointing end to a season which had resurrected premier grade club rugby interest in the Helensville and Kumeu areas by the deeds of the Pioneers.
The Pioneers will build on this year’s success and supporters can rest assured that management and coaches will begin their preparations for next year straight away, as a Premier title is the goal.
There was a big crowd of spectators at Vauxhall Park, keen to see who would make next week’s grand final. In the end it was a one horse race, with the Pioneers somewhat off the pace throughout the game.
Two early penalties were kicked by Shore after they dominated possession and territory. Geraint Walsh kicked one for Western to reduce the margin to 6-3 before Shore scored a long range try assisted by poor defence the conversion took the score to 13-3.
Another penalty to Walsh closed the gap and at half time to 13-6, and the game was in the balance.
However after the break, a costly mistake by the Pioneers on their own goal line presented Shore with a five metre scrum and they muscled their way over for a converted try, 20-6.
Shortly afterwards, Regan Oxenham who had tried to play with a leg injury, was replaced. The momentum was all with the home side, and they scored three more tries in quick succession, plus a penalty to take the score to 44-6. The Pioneers scored a consolation try to Apiu Pritchard to make the final score 44-11.
The game was effectively over shortly after half time, which was disappointing for the many Western Pioneers supporters who had come to watch this game, thinking pre kick off that the boys from the West were in with a great chance to make the final. It was shades of 2008 all over again, when in that year Helensville played Shore in a semi and failed to show up also.
Captain Nalu Tuigamala had another outstanding game, leading fearlessly from the front as he continually challenged the North Shore defence with his determined running. Nalu played every minute of every game this season for the Pioneers and North Harbour must be blessed with several top quality half backs not to have him in their squad.
Josh Williams also had a strong game in the tight and it is hoped the Welshman will be back in Pioneers colours next year.
Philip Tuigamala was another who tried had all day, but in the end Shore were too strong in all departments and the Pioneers wish Buck and his boys all the best of luck in next week’s final.
Ray Alo’s strength in mid field was missed, and the Pioneer’s forwards were overall a lot smaller than the North Shore pack. Young Bryce Steel had another good game and his development this season has been a real positive for the team.
On account of the Western Pioneers Senior First team’s 30-20 win over Glenfield in the Plate semi final, they will fly the Pioneer’s banner next weekend when they play Massey in the final at Kumeu.
It was close game, with the Pioneer’s discipline to be questioned after they had several yellow cards shown to them. They will be strengthened as up to six of their team were on reserve duty for the Prems.
All supporters will wish Toops, Sa and Craig and their team all the best for their final. The game will start at 2.30pm at Kumeu, unless advised otherwise