Year by Year , Our History ~ 2016 ~

We hope you enjoy this look back as we look forward to many more years of recording the history of Thames Valley Rugby Union.We acknowledge all the information from the NZ “Rugby Almanack” Series from the season’s 1934 through to 2016 and appreciate their hard and dedicated work in providing this detailed history. – Web Admin

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2016 Season

2016 Status: Heartland Championship Founded 1922 President: I.W.(Ian) Murphy Chairman: G.W.(Graham) Hallett Chief.Executive.Officer: Edmond Leahy Coach: H.P.(Hayden) Roe Assistant Coach: F.E.(Frank) Bunce & A.C.(Alan) McLean Main ground: Paeroa Domain Capacity: 3,000 Colours: Gold and Red

lt was an unrewarding season for Thames Valley as the team failed to register a win in the Heartland Championship. Their best effort was a draw against the Lochore Cup finalists King Country, but finishing in eleventh place overall is a real wake-up call for this well-resourced union. After being competitive in their first four Heartland matches, Thames Valley conceded 210 points in their next four games. This total could have been higher but for a sterling effort in the second half against Wanganui after being down 8-52 at halftime.

Of the 38 representatives who appeared in 2016, 17 were making their debut. The only appearance for seven players was in the early-season Ranfurly Shield challenge. Coach Hayden Roe then settled on a core of 24 regular players who appeared in four or more competition games. The backline made a promising start but failed to develop into a consistent attacking unit. This was not helped by the mid season injury to Jonnie Te Ruki Chambers, the captain and 2015 player of the year. His injury made way for the previous year’s captain Chance Bunce, who had earlier been unavailable, to return as a loan player.

After a three—year break, Bryce Cowley rejoined the team as the origin player. He had an outstanding first half against Wairarapa Bush but his season ended with a serious head injury in this match. Newcomer Ben Bonnar was an enterprising halfback while Beau Dene Hamilton returned from Sydney and showed his versatility by playing adequately in three different backline positions. The regular first-five eighth Chris Doak had last appeared in 2008. The 2015 New Zealand Heartland XV wingers Lance Easton and Tyrone Keith had few opportunities while their fellow Heartlander, Moss Doran, lacked the impact of previous years.

The forward pack more than held its own in the set pieces but in broken play they found it difficult to contain their opposition who were generally stronger and faster. Matt Rolston added much-needed height to the lineout. Norman Solofa proved to be a versatile No. 8 but the team lacked genuine pace from the side of the scrum with both Shayne Johnson (injury) and Glen McIntyre (overseas) unavailable after the Ranfurly Shield match. Nic Judd made a successful transition from hooker to prop and he was Well supported by Henare Renata and the Frenchman Romy Chies. Hayden Wisnewski, the team’s top try scorer, took over the captaincy and led by example – he was rewarded with selection in the New Zealand Heartland XV.

The Ranfurly Shield again proved its popularity in the rural areas by attracting the largest crowd at a Thames Valley home match for many years. Although outclassed on the day, Thames Valley took great satisfaction from being the first Valley team to score two tries in a shield challenge since 1955.

Higher honours went to:

New Zealand Heartland: H.A. Wisnewski

 

2016 Match Record: Played 9 ; Won 0 ; Drew 1 ; Lost 8

Points : For 171; Against 407 note: a new points structure was trialled in the 2016 Heartland Championship in 2017 they revert back to the 2016 scoring system : Try = 6 points Penalty Try = 8 points (no conversion attempt required) Conversion = 2 points Penalty goal = 2 points Dropped goal = 2 points

Click “result (0-0) ” for match details

Thames Valley REPRESENTATIVES {2016 + Total Games}
Name	Club	2016	Total for Union
Sailosi Baleisolomini	Matamata Sports (2)	1	1
Ben Bonnar	Waihou	9	9
Chance Bunce	Manukau Rovers (3)	3	12
Remy Chies	Tairua	9	9
Bryce Cowley (1)	Tauranga Sports (4)	3	11
Rowan Dare	Te Aroha C.O.B	4	6
Chris Doak	Waihou	7	29
Jesse Dodunski	Waihi Athletic	1	1
Moss Doran*	Waihi Athletic	9	17
Lance Easton	Tairua	8	61
Joshua Elgoran	Te Aroha C.O.B	9	15
Tim Erceg	Waihou	5	5
Matthew Fisher	Hauraki North	1	9
John Hale	Tairua	8	8
Beau Hamilton	Overseas (5)	7	16
Carlin Hana	Hauraki North	1	9
Shayne Johnson	Tairua	1	8
Nic Judd	Thames	9	15
Tyrone Keith	Te Aroha C.O.B	7	15
Jone Koronisagna	Thames	3	3
John Mason	Tairua	4	4
Kent McFarlane	Waihou	8	35
Glen McIntyre	Waihou	1	8
Connor McVerry	Mercury Bay	9	12
Jack Metters	Tairua	3	3
Cody Muir	Mercury Bay	3	3
Joape Nauluwavu	Thames	5	5
Joshua O’Flaherty	Waihou	1	1
Brett Ranga	Mount Maunganui (4)	1	26
Haerengarangi Renata	Coromandel	8	24
Matthew Rolston	Waihi Athletic	9	9
Norman Solofa	Te Awamutu Sports (2)	7	7
Samiuela Stanley	Paeroa O.B.	3	3
John Te Ruki-Chambers (Capt.)	Melville (2)	4	12
Reade Tobin	Waihi Athletic	4	4
Rupeni Vakacegu	Matamata Sports (2)	5	5
Kieran Whyte	Onewhero (6)	6	6
Hayden Wisnewski *	Waihou	9	25
1 Player of Origin ; 2 Waikato RU  ; 3 Auckland RU  ; 4 Bay of Plenty RU ; 5 Overseas ; 6 Counties Manukau RU *M.S. Doran captained v Waikato. *H.A.Wisnewski captained the last four matches