Winning starts for development and women's teams in opening round of Waikato Rugby
Hautapu Sports' senior rugby season is underway with the club's development and women's teams registering first round wins over Easter.
Hautapu Sports and Melville have combined resources for the 2026 Women's Premier season and the new-look team won 22-15 on Good Friday at Otorohanga to get off to a flying start.
On Saturday, the men's teams began their season hosting Hamilton Marist.
Marist won the Premier A fixture 33-26
Dallas Rata-Makene (2), Rui Farrant and Nathan Stephens scored tries for Hautapu, while Patrick Hedley kicked three conversions.
In the Premier B competition, Hautapu Sports won 28-17.
Tries came from Kena Ahipene, Rangiwai Lunjevich, Vilimone Bainibure and Harry Chittick, all of them converted by Dillon Martin.
The 2026 season gets underway next weekend (April 11) for the Hautapu Sports' U-21 team.
READ MORE: Draw available for Waikato Rugby's U-21 season >>>>
Main photo: Hautapu Sports' Premier team take the field for the opening game of the 2026 season.
Results
Game played on Friday April 3, 2026
Women's Premier
Otorohanga Sports 15
Hautapu Sports/Melville 22
Games played on Saturday April 4, 2026
Premier A
Hautapu Sports 26 (Tries: Dallas Rata-Makene (2), Rui Farrant and Nathan Stephens; conversions: Patrick Hedley 3).
Hamilton Marist 33
Premier B
Hautapu Sports 28 (Tries: Kena Ahipene 20', Rangiwai Lunjevich 42', Vilimone Bainibure 53', Harry Chittick 64'; conversions: Dillon Martin 4).
Hamilton Marist 17
Ladders
Click here for the latest competition ladders at Waikato Rugby >>>>
Fixtures
Games to be played on Saturday April 11, 2026
Waikato Premier
Hautapu Sports v University
Memorial Park, Cambridge, 2.45pm
Waikato Development
Hautapu Sports v University
Memorial Park, Cambridge, 1pm
Waikato U-21
Hamilton Old Boys v Hautapu Sports
Willoughby Park, Hamilton, 1pm
Waikato Premier Women
Hautapu Sports/Melville v Putaruru
Memorial Park, Cambridge, 1pm
Full season draws
Here are links to the full season draws for Hautapu Sports teams:
READ MORE: Season draws for Hautapu Sports' Premier and Development teams >>>>
READ MORE: Draw available for Waikato Rugby's U-21 season >>>>
READ MORE: Season draws for Hautapu Sports/Melville Women's Premier team >>>>
Learn more about Hautapu Sports' senior rugby programme
READ MORE: How to play for Hautapu Sports Club, and to register online >>>>
