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A three-way clash between North Harbour, Northland and Counties Manukau women’s rugby teams has inspired the Mahurangi Rugby Football Club (MRFC) to think about building a women’s side.
The ‘Game of Three Halves’ was hosted at the Warkworth Showgrounds on August 11 with Counties coming out on top.
MRFC club representative on Council of Clubs Sam Ryburn says the event brought up discussion about the idea of creating a senior women’s team.
“We haven’t had a women’s side since the early 2000s, but we would definitely be interested in putting a team into the North Harbour competition if the interest was there,” Ryburn says.
“Unfortunately, it’s a small grade at the moment with just a couple of clubs playing in it, but hopefully it will grow in time.”
Ryburn was also pleased to see the club host another high calibre rugby event, after having Super
Rugby and Mitre Ten Cup pre-season fixtures there this year.
“It’s a big credit to the work of our volunteers that professional sides want to play here.”
There are more on the way, with North Harbour U18 women set to play Northland on September 8 while it’s likely the Blues will return to Warkworth in 2020.
A North Harbour Sevens competition will also be held at the club over summer.
Meanwhile, men’s club rugby stars got their fair share of recognition at the MRFC senior prize giving held on August 18.
Puppy Farrell was prominent, picking up three premier awards for Best Forward, Players’ Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player.
Haden Kose also featured strongly, taking out Supporters’ Player of the Year and Wharahine Contractors Club Person of the Year.
Top Try Scorer and Top Points Scorer both went to Osea Qamasea. Other premier winners were Dillon Hemana, Scott Fabricius and Connor Lawson.
In the under 85kg grade, Willy Watts picked up Players’ Player of the Year and Liam Clews Most Valuable Player.
Other winners were Sam Warner, Callum Rouse, Dom Scalabrini and Bevan Mather.
Lloyd Gravatt received a blazer on the night for playing his 40th match for the Mahurangi premier team this season.
From left, Carlin Dunn, Lloyd Gravatt, Scott Fabricius and John McKittrick.
Haden Kose, left, picked up two big awards from North Harbour Rugby Union president John McKittrick.
The Under 85kg best back Sam Warner, left, with coach Bruce Gravatt.
The Premier team best back Scott Fabricius with team manager Bruce Stubbs.
