Club Rugby: Hat-trick heroes finish with style

Ponsonby 42 Waitemata 12

Ponsonby became the first club in 45 years to win three successive Gallaher Shield finals when they outclassed Waitemata at Eden Park yesterday, 42-12.

The last club to achieve the three-peat was Otahuhu in 1959, 1960 and 1961. The Ponies have now won 28 Gallaher Shield finals. Add to that another 11 senior championships from 1883 until 1922 when the Gallaher Shield was first contested and it can be seen how dominant Ponsonby has been in Auckland club rugby for more than a century.

Waitemata was expected to more than hold their own in the forwards, but there was a question-mark over whether the West Aucklanders had enough firepower in the backs.

Waitemata rattled Ponsonby's cage in the first 30 minutes, scoring two well-constructed tries to lead Ponsonby 12-3. Waitemata gave up the opportunity of three penalty goal attempts, relying instead on kicks to touch and the forward drive from the ensuing lineouts. But they went unrewarded until a tap penalty was taken 10 metres out from the Ponsonby goalline in the 17th minute. The forwards finally drove over with prop Liva Saena awarded the try. First five-eighths Dusan Hakaraia converted. Four minutes later Waitemata halfback Nonu Sua-Aisane broke the Ponsonby defensive line to put lock Mike Von Dincklage in for the second try.

But Waitemata's Gallaher Shield dream ended right there. Stung by this early setback, Ponsonby retaliated with two converted tries in three minutes to lead 17-12 at halftime. Ponies first five-eighths Brett Williams darted through for Ponsonby's first try before winger David Smith set up the second, bursting through a tackle then linking with halfback Chad Tuoro who raced in close to the posts. Williams converted both tries.

After the break, with the wind at their backs it was one-way traffic as Ponsonby ran rampant. Smith broke down his left wing, beating several would-be tacklers, to put Ponsonby ahead 27-12.

Then Ponies captain Benson Stanley scored a try which brought back memories of his his uncle, former All Black centre Joe, stepping the Waitemata defence to score near the posts. Smith finished Waitemata off with the try of the match. Waitemata were on the attack when they lost control. The ball was moved quickly to Smith who raced 80m for the try.

Ponsonby coach Grant Keenan was naturally proud of his team but conceded he was a worried man after Waitemata had led 12-3 after 30 minutes. "I knew we had to score next or we would be in real trouble. And fortunately we did," he said.

Waitemata coach Lindsay Ellery was the first to admit that the better team won. "No excuses," Ellery said. "They were too good in the backs and we fell off too many tackles."

Ponsonby's under-21 side beat Marist 17-16 to win the Auckland under-21 championship. In the Jubilee Trophy final for premier one teams ranked five to eight, Waitakere City beat Pakuranga 13-10 after extra time.