Easter Weekend rugby returns in 2023 with matches for the 10 premier clubs - both their As and Bs played this weekend on either Friday or Saturday, while all other competitions paused for the long weekend to enjoy the sunny weather and some chocolate treats. United Matamata Sports arrived at Marist Park Saturday afternoon knowing full well the challenge they were in for with the hosts celebrating their Centenary over the Easter long weekend. 60minutes into the match and the Matamata men would have been backing themslves to spoil the easter party.

After a tight back and forth battle in the opening 15minuutes, United Matamata Sports opened the scoring with a five pointer under the sticks to midfielder Chase Pauro for his first of two touchdowns for the afternoon. That lead lasted less than five minutes with Hamilton Marist awarded a penalty kick, kicking for touch and from the resulting lineout their first try for the afternoon to hooker Liam Gilheany-Black with the returning Wharenui Hawera converting to make it 7 – 7 after 22 minutes.

United Matamata Sports get some territory back inside the 22 of Hamilton Marist and following another 5m scrum and a fantastic skip out pass from halfback Josh Tuhakaraina, Pauro goes in for his second try on the right-hand touch line. That try goes unconverted and United Matamata Sports make it a 12–7 ball game after 30minutes. Hamilton Marist score soon after again through winger Newton Tudreu locking it up 12 all heading into halftime.

Like the first half, the opening 20minutes of the second half went scoreless with plenty of attack from both sides. Marist not quite been able to get across the line and after several phases inside the United Matamata Sports 22, referee Aaron Paterson awards Hamilton Marist a penalty right in-front of the sticks 5 meters out. Hamilton Marist takes the 3 points heading into the last quarter. Minutes later, Hamilton Marist is back down on attack via another 5m scrum and first five Wharenui Hawera crosses over for his first five pointer of the year. Unfortunately, Hawera does not convert his own try and Hamilton Marist take a 8 point lead with 15 remaining. United Matamata Sports get across for the third try of the afternoon with 4 minutes left on the clock and Hamilton Marist down to 14 men following a yellow card to reserve hooker Ciaran Bartlett after an infringement on the goal-line. That try goes unconverted and Hamilton Marist hold on to win 20-17 to ensure United Matamata Sports does not spoil any Centenary parties. 

With the four-day weekend, all other Premier matches were moved forward and played on Friday afternoon. The first of those to kick off was Melville hosting Otorohanga at Collins Road. Following a win last weekend for both sides these two sides came into this fixture with confidence and looking to make the perfect start to their 2023 campaign. In a 6 tries to 3 affair Otorohanga proved to be too strong for Melville and took out that match 41-19. New recruit Dom Clapcott converting four of six tries and scoring a three pointer off the tee for a game high 11 points. Tries to Sivamiolo Lumelume and Kauri Coffin, while double to Tevita Madrai Eseroma Nabalawa kick off a positive start to the year for Otorohanga.

Other matches saw Hamilton Old Boys and Hautapu put on scores of 50+ against their respective oppositions in Morrinsville Sports and University – both sides battling after two weeks with two defeats. Hamilton Old Boys hosted Morrinsville Sports at Fred Jones for their first home game and wowed their supporters with a nine try belter. Meanwhile Hautapu were hosting the University men in Cambridge and dotting down for nine tries also. Hamilton Old Boys winning over Morrinsville Sports 57-10, Hautapu winning 55-8 over University. 

The last game of Good Friday saw Te Awamutu Sports host Fraser Tech. Te Awamutu Sports were strong in week 1 away from home vs United Matamata Sports and were looking forward to their first home game and keen to upset last years beaten finalist in Fraser Tech. Fraser Tech were looking to getting their season back on track following a week one defeat to Hamilton Old Boys and travelled to Albert Park aiming to repeat their 2022 last minute victory.

With tries to Sean Ralph, Shauncy Waho, Stacey Daniel and a double to Sam Toa Te Awamutu Sports crossed the line five times, with Toa converting two from the tee and adding a penalty three pointer, replacement Logan Karl added to his season tally with a late 3 pointer to round out the last of Te Awamutu Sports 35 points. Missing key players Liam Coombes-Fabling, George Dyer & D’Angelo Leuila through Super Rugby duties and Tepaea Cook-Savage currently in Singapore on HSBC World 7s duty, Fraser Tech carry plenty of confidence and back themselves to be a side who can score plenty of points and beat any team. Tries to front rowers Matthew Kemp and Corey Togia with midfielder Jordan Bunce rounding out the try scorers for Fraser Tech, conversions and a penalty kick to fullback Fletcher Morgan wrapping up Fraser Techs point scoring on Good Friday, unfortunatly going down to Te Awamutu Sports 35 – 22 and starting their season with back to back loses. 

Where do we sit after two weeks? Our top four sides all remain unbeaten with Hamilton Old Boys (10) topping the points table over Te Awamutu Sports (10) on points differential, Hamilton Marist (9) and Otorohanga (9) round out the top four. Hautapu (6) & Melville (4) are the two sides that have a 50% record after two weeks, with United Matamata Sports (1) sitting in 7^th spot with a lone point. Fraser Tech, Morrinsville Sports & University all wrap up the last three spots on the ladder with zero points next to their name after two successive loses.

Article added: Monday 10 April 2023