Hi ,

Rugby

The Crusaders are back!!! Like a good wine, it just takes time. It was an awesome, nail-biting game to the end. In fact, for a time it looked as though the teams would go to golden point, but the Crusaders did what they are usually so good at – they nailed it! From a rugby purist perspective, it was good to see the red and black back to their winning way. It was a week of controversy, not in the least helped by a journo trying to make Rob Penney look foolish whilst the journo pumped his own ego. Personally, I had no problem in how Penney reacted - albeit on a recording. To my mind the journo was out of control. I mean, if a young person was watching the interview, was there anything they were going to get from that line of rubbish interview that would help them in our great game?

It now makes for an exciting final round, with so much riding on bottom dweller results. My assessment is that the Crusaders could get into the top eight, but only if Fijian Drua do not beat the Rebels. But then you cannot write off Moana Pasifika to spoil the party. The top five will remain in place, except that the Chiefs have a point to prove against the Blues. If this happens, it will elevate the Canes to the top, meaning a home quarter. The excitement builds!!

Avalon had a tough day in the village. The Ducks had a good win, our Premier 2s had a very convincing win, and our Premiers did a major cleanout against the Avalon Premier side. 

But the Colts took the day with 106 for 5 – oh hang on, that sounds like a cricket score. We have some young men with real talent and speed, right through the team. All of the Tawa teams seem to be hitting their straps at the right time.

Tony Tomlinson with 

85s Player of the Day 

Troy Howe 

Junior Spotlight - Year 7/8 Rippa (sponsored by Garcia Plumbing and Gas)

Date: 24/05/24
Opponent: Paremata-Plimmerton Matawhā 
Venue: Lyndhurst Park
Legend of the Week: Archie 

With a few players battling illnesses this week, a smaller than usual squad took on the Pare-Plim Matawhā for the second time this season. Multiple tries were scored by almost every player in the team, so Tawa Rippa 7/8 Garcia Plumbing and Gas knew victory was inevitable with an end score of 19-12. We are also as a team continuing to work on our sportsmanship skills. The match portrayed some fantastic fast team passing, lots of communication and enthusiasm a-plenty. These boys brought the energy in spade loads! Congrats to Archie our Legend of the Week for his all-around performance, three tries, and countless rips!

U11 Fundraising 

This is the final week of the Under 11 team's roti and butter chicken sauce fundraiser. The team is fundraising to get to the Taupō Rugby Tournament in September. 

If you'd like to support the team and buy some delicious food for dinner, complete the Google form by 1st June. 

Super Cars

Formula E continues with our Kiwi drivers showing the world what we are made of down here in the Southern Hemisphere. They had two races in Shanghai on the weekend. Round 11 was won by Mitch Evans with Nick Cassidy 3rd. Round 12 was a bit tougher for our boys with Cassidy 4th and Evans 5th. In the standings, Cassidy leads the field with Evans 3rd. As they both race for Jaguar TCS Racing, this puts Jaguar at the top in the teams placing. 

As noted last week, we had the Indy 500 on the weekend (Monday morning our time). Due to adverse weather, the race started late, which gave NZ viewers a leisurely mid-morning start. What an event, as the day of US Remembrance is also celebrated. It was a very sombre occasion at the pre-start, with the anthem and the military jets flyover. The co-ordination was exemplary.

Our man Scott McLaughlin had Pole and the lead for over half of the 200 lap, 500 mile race. But at the end, it was a back-to-back win by Josef Newgarden, with McLaughlin 6th. Marcus Armstrong registered a DNF due to his engine dying. And the Ice Man? Scott Dixon started 21st and got to a Podium with a credible 3rd place. Dixon has to be a sponsor’s dream – always in the picture! He reminds me of the Old Bull and the Young Bull story.

This weekend we are at The Fortress for Premier and Premier 2s vs Oriental-Rongotai. As noted above, all of our teams appear to be hitting their straps!!

See you there this weekend!

Allan G Davidson

President & Life Member