Final rematch looms after Counties win

Final rematch looms after Counties win

October 12, 2014

Pirtek NZRL National Premiership - Final rematch looms after Counties win

The 2014 Pirtek NZRL National Premiership final shapes as a rematch of last year's combatants, Akarana Falcons and Counties Manukau Stingrays.

For the fourth time in five years, the two Auckland-based sides have emerged as top qualifiers from the regular season, after the Stingrays easily accounted for Wellington Orcas 76-10 at Papakura today.

The result sees Counties sitting atop the ladder with five wins, a loss and a comfortable points-difference advantage in the three-way battle for final spots.

Falcons and Canterbury Bulls shared their 5-1 record, with the Bulls lagging behind on a countback, despite their 106-14 home win over the hapless Northern Swords yesterday.

A war of words still looms, after the Stingrays successfully appealed a charge of playing an ineligible player against Canterbury two weeks ago.

But, if on-field results hold, the old adversaries will contest the trophy again at Mt Smart Stadium next Saturday, as curtainraiser to the Junior Kiwis v Junior Kangaroos international. Akarana/Auckland have won all three previous showdowns.

Notwithstanding their loss to Akarana last month, the Stingrays have been the competition's most impressive performers all season, as they were last year, amassing an average 52-11 scoreline across the seven rounds.

They were immediately on top against the Orcas and led 40-0 at the break.

Second row Eko Malu scored his second hat-trick of tries for the season, confirming his mantle as leading tryscoring for the competition, while Semisi Tyrell and Afatasi Collins managed try doubles.

Halfback Williams Stowers kicked nine goals to finish as the premiership's leading scorer.

PIRTEK NZRL NATIONAL PREMIERSHIP

Sunday, October 12

Massey Park, Papakura

Counties Manukau Stingrays 76 (Eko Malu 3, Semisi Tyrell 2, Fatasi Collins 2, George Edwards, Filipine Jacob Ake, Carlos Hotene, William Stowers, Pakisonasi Afu, Tony Tuia & Terence Phillips tries; Stowers 9 & Tyrell goals) Wellington Orcas 10 (Ray Lesoa & Phillip Salevao tries; Saumolia goal): HT: 40-0

Stingrays: 1-George Edwards, 2-Iomas Aoake, 3-Semisi Tyrell, 4-Filipine Jacob Ake,
5-Lafu Feagaiga, 6-Carlos Hotene, 7-William Stowers, 10-Pakisonasi Afu, 9- Jethro Friend, 8-Palu Tapuevalu, 11-Dion Snell, 12-Sione Peao, 13-Eko Malu, 14-Uila Aiolupo, 15-Afatasi Collins, 16-Tony Tuia, 17-Terence Phillips

Orcas: 1-Ray Lesoa, 2-Jo-Marc Stowers, 4-David Saumolia, 3-Ben Tuia, 5-Tomasi Mocevakaca, 6-Denzil Hokianga, 7-Anthony Utanga, 8-Robbie Mckenzie, 9-Grayson Putu, 10-Chance Haua-Tauri, 11-Mona Sio, 12-Robin Yates, 13-Nicholas Phillips, 14-Nathan Maharey, 15-James Tuia, 16-Phillip Salevao, 17-Paratene Wirepa

Referee - Jamal Thompson Touch - Chris McMillan & Nathan Barker Pringle

NZ Rugby League would like to acknowledge and thank naming-rights sponsor of the NZRL National Premiership - Pirtek fluid transfer solutions - who is also major sponsor of the NZ Kiwis. In addition, Pirtek supports league through its NRL association with the Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta's Pirtek Stadium.

ends

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