Cup holders knocked out in dramatic fashion

The reigning U85Kg Cup champions HSOB Light Bears came within a kick of winning their quarter-final matchup away against Silverdale Procut Truffle Pigs on Saturday, but it wasn’t to be.

Light Bears led 14-7 at the break thanks to tries from number 8 Josh Evans and winger Ben Mead, and a responding try from Silverdale vice-captain James Wright on the stroke of half time.

It stayed that way until 20 minutes remained, when Silverdale notched 15 points in 10 minutes.

The scoreboard was troubled by winger Nicholas Francis, scoring to put the home side ahead, but the conversion wasn’t successful. Substitute Revin Storey then clattered over too, before Wright added a penalty to see the score 14-22 to Silverdale with 10 minutes remaining.

Light Bears winger Tom Baines stepped up, scoring with a minute left on the clock, and Mead knocked over the extras, taking the scoreline to 21-22 with seconds remaining.

A penalty was conceded with the clock in the red, giving Light Bears a chance to kick for goal, but the attempt missed and the game ended a one-point victory for the home side.

Elsewhere in the quarter-finals, Tukapa put the Karaka Razzlers to the sword in a 41-19 scoreline; Pakuranga won 26-17 against Waiuku; and the final South Island side, Darfield fell to Pōneke Wanderers, 22-7.

It means a mouth-watering matchup where Pōneke will host Pakuranga. The Panthers won the competition in 2024, with Pōneke being beaten in the 2025 final by HSOB Light Bears.

Those results see the semi-final matches confirmed as below:

• Pōneke Wanderers v Pakuranga Panthers
• Tukapa Bantams v Silverdale Procut Truffle Pigs

The draw with all game details and venues have been uploaded into Rugby Xplorer. The 2026 Road to the Final webpage will be updated as results are known, here: Under 85kg Club Cup Draw | NZ Rugby.